MURIC joins growing calls for the removal of INEC Chairman over alleged anti-Muslim bias linked to a report sent to former U.S. President Donald Trump.

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the immediate dismissal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, following reports that he allegedly authored a legal brief to the United States on alleged “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Monday, November 10, 2025, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, described the revelation as “shocking and dangerous,” insisting that Amupitan’s continued leadership of the electoral body threatens the credibility of future elections, especially for Muslim candidates across the country.

The full statement reads:

“The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) yesterday alleged that the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, authored a legal brief on Christian genocide in Nigeria which was sent to the United States. The Council therefore demanded his removal.

*”This revelation is shocking, astounding and petrifying. It adds another dangerous dimension to the US threat of invasion.*

*”A man who authored the hate letter to President Donald Trump about Muslims of Northern Nigeria cannot be expected to be fair in overseeing elections in Nigeria, particularly general elections and gubernatorial elections.*

“Amupitan as INEC boss poses a potent threat to Muslim candidates of North Central Nigeria in particular and of the rest of the country in general in any election held in Nigeria.

“From the moment this disclosure was made, Amupitan has become persona non grata in Muslim circles in election matters. We hereby declare our total, complete and categorical loss of confidence in him as INEC boss.

*”Concomitantly, we hereby call on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to sack Professor Joash Amupitan.*

“We suggest that any other qualified person with national spread of acceptance, preferably of the same faith with Amupitan but from another geopolitical zone be picked to replace him.”

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is a Nigerian Islamic human rights organization that advocates for the rights and interests of Muslims in the country. It promotes justice, fairness, and religious freedom, often issuing public statements or press releases on national issues affecting the Muslim community. The group, led by Professor Ishaq Akintola, encourages dialogue over violence and seeks equal treatment for all religious groups, especially Muslims.

On the other hand, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is Nigeria’s official body responsible for organizing and supervising elections at all levels—presidential, governorship, and legislative.

It ensures that elections are free, fair, and credible, and also handles voter registration and the regulation of political parties. INEC operates as an independent institution, meaning it is not supposed to be influenced by political interests.