• North’s group urges Nigerians to prioritise electoral integrity over religious differences
The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has strongly opposed calls to remove the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan.
The group warned that such demands could deepen religious division and undermine Nigeria’s democratic process. The ATT Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, who expressed the group’s opposition to such a move, urged Nigerians to focus on the integrity of the electoral system rather than the religious affiliation of public office holders.
Yakubu said Nigeria’s current challenges demand unity and collective responsibility, not divisive rhetoric.
“What Nigeria needs now is the integrity of the election. It’s not about the chairman of INEC being a Muslim or being a Christian. We should look at the integrity of the election, and we should stand in unity with this chairman so that he can do his job properly,” Yakubu said.
The ATT convener cautioned against introducing religious sentiments into the nation’s electoral process, stressing that such actions could further polarise the country at a time of widespread insecurity.
“We shouldn’t allow those who want to divide us through religion to gain leverage. We must be careful not to bring religion into our electoral system to avoid dividing the good people of this country,” he added.
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Yakubu’s comments came amid rising controversy over renewed calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) demanding the removal of the INEC chairman ahead of next year’s general election.
The council, led by Sheikh Bashir Umar, warned that Muslims across the country would not recognise or legitimise any election conducted under Prof. Amupitan’s leadership, citing alleged concerns over integrity and neutrality.
The Shari’ah Council’s position was reportedly made during this year’s annual pre-Ramadan lecture and General Assembly held in Abuja on Tuesday, January 27.
Yakubu noted that the council’s statements could erode public confidence in democratic institutions and inflame religious tensions, particularly at a time when the country is grappling with insecurity, economic hardship and social instability.
The ATT urged religious organisations and leaders to avoid any rhetoric that could promote intolerance or heat up the polity.
The group stressed that national unity and peace are urgently needed.
It reaffirmed its confidence in INEC as a constitutional body and urged its leadership to remain focused on its mandate of delivering free, fair and credible elections without undue pressure from sectional interests.
Also, the Arewa Think Tank maintained that Nigeria belongs to all citizens, regardless of faith, and that leadership positions should not be politicised or weaponised along religious lines.
Yakubu urged fellow Nigerians to resist divisive narratives and instead support institutions working to strengthen democracy.
The ATT convener noted that unity remains the country’s greatest strength in the face of ongoing national challenges.