As preparations quietly gather pace ahead of the 2027 general elections, a rights advocacy group has issued a stern warning over what it describes as looming credibility risks within Nigeria’s electoral system.
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Josiah Amupitan, insisting that his continued leadership could erode public trust in future elections.
According to the organisation, the demand is rooted in concerns about the INEC chair’s past conduct, which it argued raises serious questions about neutrality and fairness.
MURIC maintained that early intervention is crucial to avoid controversies that could trail the 2027 polls.
The call was made in a statement released on Thursday and signed by the group’s Kano State chairman, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa.
He said the issue goes beyond politics and touches on the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
MURIC specifically pointed to a legal publication authored by Amupitan in 2020, which it claimed portrayed Nigeria’s security challenges as a religiously motivated campaign.
The group argued that such positions, when associated with the head of the electoral body, could deepen suspicion among voters.
“The content of that legal brief clearly reflects a mindset that is incompatible with the impartiality required of an INEC chairman,” Indabawa said.
“Elections thrive on trust, and any perception of bias is dangerous to democracy.”
The organisation further noted that the document later gained international attention, reinforcing its concern that Amupitan’s views could influence perceptions of Nigeria’s electoral process both locally and abroad.
MURIC warned that failure to act could cast a shadow over the 2027 general elections.
“To safeguard the credibility of the polls, decisive action must be taken now,” Indabawa said, adding that removal, resignation or legal review were necessary options.
Hence, the group urged the presidency to treat the matter as a national priority, stressing that credible elections remain central to political stability and democratic legitimacy.