By Desire Emmanuel
The threat by the Supreme Council of Shari’ah against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Josh Amupitan, has generated reactions as two groups from the Middle Belt in the country have urged President Bola Tinubu not to take it lightly.
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) and the Association of Middle Belt Ethnic Nationalities (ASOMBEN) told Tinubu that the threat could affect the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process.
It will be recalled that the council recently demanded the INEC chairman’s removal, threatening that Muslims won’t recognise the 2027 polls under his leadership due to an alleged brief suggesting Christian genocide.
Reacting to the threat, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, the National President of MBF, stated that the threat has the potential to undermine national unity and erode public trust in INEC for the 2027 general election, adding that the threat could exacerbate religious tension in the country..
“By making such inflammatory statement, it means they don’t belong to Nigeria. If that is the case, what America is calling for is right; let them have their own country..
It will be recalled that the council recently demanded the INEC chairman’s removal, threatening that Muslims won’t recognise the 2027 polls under his leadership due to an alleged brief suggesting Christian genocide.
Reacting to the threat, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, the National President of MBF, stated that the threat has the potential to undermine national unity and erode public trust in INEC for the 2027 general election, adding that the threat could exacerbate religious tension in the country..
“By making such inflammatory statement, it means they don’t belong to Nigeria. If that is the case, what America is calling for is right; let them have their own country..
“We have had enough of their threat; Nigeria belongs to all. They always think that they can impose their will on people. The end must come to such a threat,” he said.
Dr. Pogu urged the government to apply the nation’s laws to anyone making comments that could undermine the unity of the nation
“I want to believe that the council is issuing this kind of threat to coerce INEC to do its bidding. They feel they own Nigeria and can decide and dictate what happens to Nigeria.
Dr. Pogu urged the government to apply the nation’s laws to anyone making comments that could undermine the unity of the nation
“I want to believe that the council is issuing this kind of threat to coerce INEC to do its bidding. They feel they own Nigeria and can decide and dictate what happens to Nigeria.
“INEC is an independent body; it has its rules and should therefore stick to such rules. It should not succumb to intimidation; that is their stock in trade,” he said.
Also, the National Chairman of the Association of Middle Belt Ethnic Nationalities (ASOMBEN), Mr Sule Kwasau, said Amupitan was appointed on merit and cannot be removed on sentiment or as a result of a call by any group, adding that the leadership of the council should be interrogated.
“The antics of some groups in the North are known. Anytime they were not finding it easy with the government of the day, they often resorted to religion as a weapon to fight established authorities. Such sentiments have no place in the present government,” he said.
According to him, individuals behind the call for Professor Amupitan’s resignation should be invited for questioning, adding that others had held the same position in the past, and no one expressed religious sentiment.
“A council like this should rise above religious sentiment; it should be more interested in the unity of this country. They need not fear since the head of the country is a practicing Muslim,” he said.
Also, the National Chairman of the Association of Middle Belt Ethnic Nationalities (ASOMBEN), Mr Sule Kwasau, said Amupitan was appointed on merit and cannot be removed on sentiment or as a result of a call by any group, adding that the leadership of the council should be interrogated.
“The antics of some groups in the North are known. Anytime they were not finding it easy with the government of the day, they often resorted to religion as a weapon to fight established authorities. Such sentiments have no place in the present government,” he said.
According to him, individuals behind the call for Professor Amupitan’s resignation should be invited for questioning, adding that others had held the same position in the past, and no one expressed religious sentiment.
“A council like this should rise above religious sentiment; it should be more interested in the unity of this country. They need not fear since the head of the country is a practicing Muslim,” he said.
