The National Chairman Council of Ulama, Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has described the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a “risk of the highest order.”
Sheikh Jingir made the remark at the close of the three-day 33rd annual national seminar organised by JIBWIS at the Saddeqa Event Centre in Jos, where he stated that the nomination was rejected by many Nigerian Muslims. He stressed that the leadership of the electoral body should command public confidence across religious and social divides.
He expressed concern that the current INEC chairman had previously made comments he described as offensive to Muslims, arguing that such controversies could undermine trust in the electoral system, especially as the country prepares for future elections.
Sheikh Jingir also criticised what he described as the silence of the Federal Government on calls for a review of the appointment, noting that the lack of official response had generated further debate among religious leaders and stakeholders.
According to him, the matter poses a potential threat to inter-religious harmony and could affect public perception of neutrality within the electoral process. He therefore urged members of the National Assembly to intervene and ensure that leadership of key democratic institutions reflects fairness, equity, and national unity.
Despite the concerns raised by the cleric, the Federal Government has previously dismissed allegations of bias within the electoral body, maintaining its confidence in the leadership of the commission.
The development has continued to generate mixed reactions among political observers and religious groups, highlighting ongoing discussions about trust, representation, and credibility within Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
