By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has clarified its recent call for the removal and prosecution of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, insisting that the position was not driven by religious considerations but by concerns over national unity, institutional credibility and constitutional responsibility.

The Council made the clarification in a press statement issued by its Secretary General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, following widespread public reactions to a communiqué released after its Annual Pre-Ramadan Conference and General Assembly held on January 28, 2026.

According to the SCSN, its resolution calling for Prof. Amupitan’s removal had been “amplified out of context and grossly misconstrued,” particularly as an attack motivated by religion.

“The Council states unequivocally that its position is not motivated by religion or sectarian considerations, but by grave concerns relating to national cohesion, institutional integrity, constitutionalism, sovereignty, and the dangerous trajectory trailing the Chairman’s antecedents,” the statement said.

The Council noted that Nigeria’s electoral history since independence shows that religion has never been a basis for opposition to electoral leadership, pointing out that most past heads of electoral bodies, including INEC, were Christians and were accepted without controversy.

It stated that out of the 13 chairmen who have headed Nigeria’s electoral institutions, only two — Prof. Attahiru Jega and Prof. Mahmood Yakubu — were Muslims, arguing that this historical record invalidates claims of religious bias.

The SCSN said its concern with Prof. Amupitan stems from a legal brief he reportedly authored in 2020, which it described as containing “toxic, provocative and deeply prejudicial assertions” against Nigerian Muslims, Northern Nigeria and the historic Sokoto Caliphate.

Of particular concern, the Council said, were claims of a so-called “Christian genocide” and attempts to link contemporary insecurity in Northern Nigeria to the 19th-century jihad of Sheikh Uthman bin Fodio, describing such assertions as historically inaccurate and destabilising.

“These claims are not only false but profoundly dangerous in a fragile, multi-religious federation such as Nigeria,” the statement added.

The Council also expressed concern that such claims were allegedly presented to foreign actors, portraying Nigeria as a theatre of religious extermination and inviting external pressure based on what it described as false premises.

According to the SCSN, credible humanitarian data show that insecurity in Northern Nigeria is complex and driven by terrorism, banditry, poverty, governance failures and criminality, stressing that both Muslims and Christians have been victims, with Muslims constituting the majority of casualties in many affected states.

It further noted that Prof. Amupitan has neither denied authorship of the controversial document nor issued a public apology or retraction since the issues were raised.

The Council claimed that the Federal Government had been forced to publicly debunk the allegations internationally, allegedly incurring financial and diplomatic costs, including reports of payments to foreign lobbyists to counter the narrative.

“In any responsible society, such consequences alone constitute sufficient grounds for resignation, removal and legal accountability,” the SCSN said.

The Council reiterated its call for constitutional and legal processes to be followed in addressing the matter, stressing that its position is based solely on issues of character, conduct and credibility, not religion.

It also appealed to the Christian community not to be misled by what it described as divisive narratives, reaffirming its commitment to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and justice for all Nigerians, regardless of faith.

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

Ahead of the deadline fixed by the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has concluded accommodation arrangements for Nigerian pilgrims who would perform the 2026 Hajj exercise in both Makkah and Madinah.

The Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by his Technical Assistant on Media, Ahmad Muazu

Usman explained that the conclusion of the accommodation uploads and approval/acceptance by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj is in line with the directive of the Vice President Kashim Shettima that all critical Hajj arrangements should be finalised within approved Saudi timelines to safeguard Nigeria’s operational interests.

He acknowledged the guidance and support of the Vice President throughout the process, adding that the high-level delegation sent to Saudi Arabia, the NAHCON board and staff, the Nusuk Masar team, the leadership of the Forum of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, and relevant stakeholders were also involved in the accommodation process.

“With the conclusion of these arrangements, Nigeria has secured its accommodation for the 2026 Hajj and is positioned among countries that have completed this critical requirement within the prescribed timelines.

“The commission now proceeds to the next phase of operational preparations for the 2026 Hajj,” the chairman stated.

Usman had earlier reaffirmed the NAHCON’s commitment to early planning, effective coordination and strict adherence to due process for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

According to him, the commission is fully aligned with the policy direction of the federal government under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places priority on the welfare and spiritual well-being of Nigerian pilgrims.

He noted that NAHCON, operating under the supervision of Vice President, is focused on ensuring the timely completion of all critical preparations ahead of the pilgrimage.

By David Owei,Bayelsa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Saturday, led other members of the family at the funeral of his late father’s younger brother, Chief Jothan Michael Diri, in Sampou community, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.

Chief Jothan Diri died on October 26, 2025 aged 83 years.

Speaking during a well-attended funeral service at the Reedemed Christain Church of God, Sampou, Governor Diri expressed gratitude to those that stood with the family in their moment of grief, particularly the clergy, which he said had been a pillar of support at all times.

The Bayelsa governor also stated that the presence of politicians that were once opponents at the event and at state functions was a testament to the unity and peace among the political class in the state.

He advised that the trend be sustained as the state needs unity to move forward.

His words: “I thank all of you for joining my family at this solemn event. Most of you have been with us for days, particularly the cleargy. You have always been there for us whenever you are called upon.

“I also thank all those that have supported us in different ways. Even if I do not mention your names, just know that you are appreciated.

“Let me equally say that I am happy anytime I see David Lyon with us; working with us without any bitterness. That is how it should be. Bayelsa is moving forward. “

Delivering the funeral sermon, Pastor Peter Akpe stated that life was borrowed and as such we owe it to God to live in ways that honour Him.

He also said that life was short just as death is only a shadow, urging the congregation not to be afraid of death but to live an impactful life in service to God.

Dr. Akpe, who is also the Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa, admonished that although it is inevitable, God has power over death, and that at the right time it will be brought to nothing.

Present at the event were the wives of the governor, Dr. Gloria Diri and Justice Patience Diri, Senator Konbowei Benson representing Bayelsa Central, House of Representatives members – Dr. Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency), Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma), Mrs. Marie Ebikake (Nembe/Brass) – as well as Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere and other state legislators.

Also in attendance were former Deputy Governor, Gboribiogha John-Jonah, former Supreme Court jurist and king of Tuomo Kingdom in Delta State, Justice Francis Tabai (rtd), chairman of the All Progressives Congress state caretaker committee, Dr. Dennis Otiotio, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Executive Director, South South Development Commission, Preye Aganaba, and members of the state executive coulcil.

Others were President of the Custoumary Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah, Chief Executive Officer, De Wayles Group of Companies, High Chief Victor Egukawhore, service commanders, religious leaders and traditional rulers, among others.