By Paul Joseph
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has taken its campaign against the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, to the National Assembly of Nigeria, demanding his immediate removal from office.
The Islamic advocacy group said it submitted a petition to lawmakers after what it described as a lack of response from the presidency to its earlier complaints about the electoral chief.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by MURIC’s Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola.
MURIC accused Amupitan of actions it claims undermine the confidence of Nigerian Muslims in the electoral body.
The organisation said its concerns relate to an alleged 80-page legal brief on claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria, which it said was used by the United States in assessing the country’s religious situation.
According to the group, the document contributed to international accusations against Nigeria and portrayed Muslims in a negative light.
Akintola said the group had been calling for Amupitan’s removal for several months but that the federal government had yet to respond.
MURIC said it decided to escalate the issue by petitioning the National Assembly, arguing that lawmakers have a responsibility to examine allegations raised against the head of the country’s electoral body.
The organisation said it believes the controversy could affect confidence in INEC’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 Nigerian general elections.
Akintola stated that the group believes Amupitan cannot serve as an impartial referee in future elections, particularly those involving Muslim candidates and voters.
The group warned that the dispute could have wider implications for the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process if it remains unresolved.
MURIC argued that trust in electoral institutions is essential as the country prepares for the next general elections, urging lawmakers to review its petition and address the allegations raised against the INEC chairman.
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