MURIC Intensifies Pressure for INEC Chairman's Removal
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has escalated its campaign for the removal of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan by formally approaching Nigeria's National Assembly. This move comes after months of what the organization describes as unaddressed complaints regarding Amupitan's alleged bias.
Escalation to Legislative Body
MURIC Executive Director Professor Ishaq Akintola confirmed the organization's decision to take the matter to the National Assembly following three months of appeals to the presidency that yielded no response. In a statement issued on Wednesday, March 5, Akintola emphasized that the group felt compelled to seek intervention from the people's representatives after what they perceived as presidential inaction.
"Since the presidency appears uninterested in listening to the complaints of Muslims against Amupitan, we must take his case to the court of the people's representatives, the National Assembly," Akintola declared.
Controversial Publication at Center of Dispute
The core of MURIC's objection stems from Amupitan's contribution to a 2020 publication titled Nigeria's Silent Slaughter: Genocide in Nigeria and the Implications for the International Community. The INEC chairman authored an 80-page chapter called Legal Brief: Genocide in Nigeria, which analyzed patterns of violence against Christian communities in certain regions of the country.
The publication, produced by the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON) and the International Organisation on Peace-building & Social Justice (PSJ), argued that the situation could potentially meet international legal definitions of genocide. It also criticized the federal government's response to the crisis, alleging inadequate protection for affected communities and insufficient accountability for perpetrators.
Concerns About Electoral Neutrality
Akintola expressed serious concerns about how Amupitan's involvement with this publication might affect his ability to maintain impartiality as head of Nigeria's electoral commission, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching. The MURIC leader argued that this association could undermine public confidence in INEC's neutrality and fairness.
"The situation could erode public confidence in the neutrality of the electoral body," Akintola warned, adding that the presidency had shown little urgency in addressing what he described as "indisputable evidence" of Amupitan's participation in what Muslim groups consider misleading claims about Nigerian Muslims.
Call for Legislative Intervention
MURIC has called on both chambers of the National Assembly to thoroughly examine the matter and ensure that Muslim citizens' concerns receive proper consideration. The organization emphasized that Muslim taxpayers and citizens deserve to have their grievances heard through proper democratic channels.
The group reiterated its position that Amupitan should not oversee Nigeria's electoral process in 2027, warning that unresolved allegations of anti-Muslim bias could become a significant factor in future election disputes. MURIC maintains that its campaign is not based on religious differences but rather on what it views as Amupitan's "fanatical and hateful" disposition toward Nigerian Muslims.
Broader Context of Electoral Concerns
This development occurs within the broader context of MURIC's engagement with electoral matters ahead of the 2027 elections. Previously, the organization announced discussions with presidential hopeful and African Democratic Congress chieftain Atiku Abubakar, highlighting what it described as structural imbalances favoring Christian cultural norms since colonial times.
The current escalation represents a significant intensification of pressure on Nigeria's electoral institutions as the country prepares for another major election cycle. The outcome of this legislative intervention could have substantial implications for electoral administration and public confidence in Nigeria's democratic processes.
