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,” saying the nomination is rejected by Nigerian Muslims.
Sheikh Jingir spoke at the close of the 3‑day 33rd annual national seminar organised by JIBWIS at the Saddeqa Event Centre in Jos, urging that the leadership of the electoral body should command public trust across all faiths.
Although the Tinubu administration has repeatedly dismissed allegations of bias against the INEC chairman, the government has remained silent on calls for Amupitan’s removal, prompting criticism from religious leaders.
Sheikh Jingir said the current INEC boss had in the past accused Nigerian Muslims of genocide against Christians, a charge he said disqualified him from holding sensitive national positions.
“Why is it that someone that had abused Sheikh Usman Danfodio and Muslims was appointed INEC chairman?” Sheikh Jingir asked.
He described the matter as a serious threat to inter‑religious harmony and democratic credibility, especially with general elections approaching.
Jingir lamented the silence of members of the National Assembly on the controversy, urging them to intervene and ensure that the electoral umpire’s leadership reflects fairness and equity.
“Muslims are rejecting the idea of having someone who invited foreign attack on Nigeria to be chairman of an important institution in the country,” he said.
He accused the appointment of inviting external interference and doubted the ability of the current INEC leadership to be impartial in critical electoral matters.
Sheikh Jingir reiterated his position that Amupitan’s appointment was ill‑timed and fraught with risk.
He added, “I disagree with the person that went abroad to call for an attack on Nigeria, and the government of Muslim‑Muslim take the risk of appointing him as head of the electoral umpire, it is extremely a risk of the highest order.”