The National Chairman Council of Ulama, Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has rejected the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing it as a major risk to the country.
Jingir said the appointment was unacceptable to Nigerian Muslims, given the strategic importance of INEC as the nation’s electoral umpire.
The cleric spoke at the conclusion of the 33rd annual national seminar organised by JIBWIS, held over three days at the Saddeqa Event Centre in Jos.
Amupitan has faced criticism over a legal brief he reportedly wrote years ago, which critics say attempted to justify allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria. Although the Tinubu administration has repeatedly denied such claims, the government has yet to respond directly to calls demanding Amupitan’s removal.
According to Jingir, the nominee had publicly accused Muslims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria and should not be entrusted with sensitive national positions such as heading the electoral commission.
“Why is it that someone that had abused Sheikh Usman Danfodio and Muslims was appointed INEC chairman,” Sheikh Jingir asked.
He also questioned the silence of the National Assembly on the matter and urged lawmakers to take necessary steps to ensure a fair and widely accepted leadership for the commission.
Jingir further said Muslims were opposed to what he described as the idea of appointing someone who allegedly called for foreign intervention against Nigeria to lead a critical national institution.
He said, “I disagree with the person that went aboard to call for an attack on Nigeria, and the government of Muslim-Muslim, take the risk of appointing him as the head of electoral umpire, it is an extremely a risk of the highest order.”
