ABUJA, Jan. 28, 2026 — The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) on Wednesday warned that it would not recognise or legitimise elections conducted under what it described as compromised conditions, insisting that public trust in electoral institutions must be protected ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The position was announced at the Council’s Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly in Abuja, attended by Islamic scholars, traditional and community leaders, professionals, representatives of Islamic organisations and journalists. The Council’s president, Sheikh Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, said democratic legitimacy depends on integrity, warning that “no election conducted under a cloud of compromised integrity can be recognised as credible.”
In a sharper escalation of its stance, the SCSN renewed calls for the removal of INEC chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, with some reports quoting the Council as seeking his removal — and even prosecution — over allegations it says raise credibility concerns for 2027.
The Council also pushed back against what it called inflammatory narratives about faith-based violence, saying it “debunked” claims framed as a “Christian genocide” and urged more responsible public discourse to avoid deepening division.
Beyond elections, SCSN described Nigeria as being at a “critical crossroads,” citing worsening insecurity, rising social anxiety and deepening economic strain. It reiterated condemnation of violence and terrorism while calling for both effective security action and reconciliation, adding that Muslim communities have been heavily affected by insecurity — while stressing that every human life is “sacred and inviolable,” regardless of faith.
On economic governance, the Council criticised aspects of the government’s tax reform direction, arguing that fiscal policy must not impose “unjust hardship” on ordinary Nigerians. It also raised concerns about budget priorities and underfunding of key institutions.
It further warned about what it described as imbalances in federal appointments, saying such patterns undermine constitutional equity and national cohesion.
The gathering included remarks by Mallam Muhammadu Munir Ja’afaru (Madakin Zazzau), who described the Council as a principled voice for the Muslim community and urged scholars to use Ramadan tafseer sessions to promote unity, moral renewal and responsible civic engagement.
