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Call on INEC chair’s removal not on religious motive – Shari’ah Council

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Pilgrims praying at mecca

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.

Religion

Pastor Monday Iwat charges A’Ibom Youths to embrace Godly conducts in their daily living for business growth and expansion

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Pastor Monday Iwat(left) and Pastor Mike Denigan, (right)


‎By Emmanuel Ikpe


‎The need for youths in Akwa Ibom to embrace Godly conducts and principles in their daily living has been stressed.

‎Honourable Pastor Monday Iwat gave the indication while speaking with journalists in Uyo after one of his missionary engagement with Pastor Mike Denigan, himself among other men of God.

‎Emphasizing that God principles embodied blessings that if embrace, it will trigger the needed blessings one need to meet the desire goal and expectations in life.

‎While wishing numerous Akwa Ibom youths a blessed new month of August 2026, the Uyo born Clergy, Politician and Architect prayed God to bring open doors to believers.
‎”May August bring you peace   open doors, divine  protection, and  testimonies. God’s favor will speak for you this month, Welcome to your month of blessings. Happy new month family and friends”, he added.


‎Pastor Monday disclosed that embracing God in everyday life is liken to drinking water or watering plants that is need of growth and enable the man and plants to bear abundance fruits and therefore causes expansion.
‎”This growth and expansion will not only be seen in your life but it will also be seen in your businesses, spiritually, financially and materially and this can be achieved when we put God first in our daily living and try to practice the principle of Godly living “, he stated.

‎Pastor Monday Iwat has learned the ropes and have dedicated himself to work of God in the Ministry of Jesus Christ and have tested the gospel and have proven that that God can do all things and make life meaningful with blessings that knows no bounds and therefore encouraged others to follow suit especially in this perilous times.

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Again, Governor Diri Tasks Bayelsans On Thanksgiving To Sustain God’s Glory.

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Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe (middle)

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again emphasized the need for people of state to make thanking God a way of life to continually attract and sustain divine glory in their lives and the state in general.

Governor Diri laid the emphasis on Sunday while speaking at the Mid-Year Thanksgiving Service of the Refined People’s Assembly at Opolo in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, the Bayelsa Chief Executive urged the people to thank God for His unseen mercies as well as answered and unanswered prayers, stressing that Almighty Creator alone knows the best for everyone in all situations.

Governor Diri expressed optimism that as Bayelsans continue to imbibe and practise thanksgiving, God’s glory upon the state will not only expand but also continue to rub off on Nigeria.

Dr Akpe, who performed the dual role of representing the governor as well as speaking as the guest preacher at the service, identified incredible multiplication, divine provisions and punishment for enemies as some of the benefits of thanksgiving.

Quoting copiously from the scriptures including Genesis Chapter 32:10 and Psalm 100:4 and making reference to the biblical Jacob, David, the ten lepers and Jesus Christ, the Deputy Governor enjoined Christians to always reflect on how the grace of God has led them in their life journey.

According to him, appreciating God by faith despite one’s current circumstances can serve as a divine access to sound health and promotion as well as an enabler to do exploits in one’s chosen career.

Governor Diri used the opportunity to appreciate the Christian community in the state, particularly the leadership and members of the Refined People’s Assembly for their prayers, and urged them to sustain their works of faith.

His words: “On behalf of His Excellency, the Governor, I want to thank God, your pastor and all of you for this privilege and for what you are doing for our state in terms of prayers.

“From the scriptures we have shared, I believe that the glory of God will not depart from you and our state. As you thank God, destinies will change for good. You will not be demoted to the realm of shame.

“Rather, you will move from one realm of glory to another. And as you are affected, so Bayelsa will be affected. And as Bayelsa is affected, so Nigeria will also be affected.

“As a child of God, I encourage you to thank God for His unseen mercies so that He will not withdraw it from you. Thank God for even unanswered prayers. And when you thank God, what happens?

“There is divine restoration, incredible multiplication and divine provisions. Secondly, there will be punishment for your enemies because God will arise and take over your battles as we can find in Jeremiah Chapter 30:19-20.”

Highpoint of the service was special thanksgiving by the leadership and members of the Refined People’s Assembly led by its Founder and Senior Pastor, Dr Daddy-Ken Bitere.

The Acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa, Mr Irorodamie Komonibo, the Commissioner for Community Development, Hon. Alfred Belemote, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Rev. Godspower Asingba, among other government officials attended the mid-year thanksgiving service.

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Niger state Christian Stakeholders demand Equal representation in the formation of APC 2027 general election

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Comrade Jude Johnson flanked other stakeholders

By Uthman Baba–Naseer,Minna

Coalition of Concern Christian Stakeholders in Niger State has requested for fair and equal representation of christians in the formation of 2027 general elections under the platform of the All Progressives Congress APC in the state.

The group Secretary, Comrade Jude Johnson stated this at a newsbriefing held in Minna, and Niger state capital, insisted on their demand for Christian deputy governor for the next general elections or opt for an alternative where their interest will be protected
The Coalition under the aegis of the Concerned Christian Stakeholders has urged Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and all major stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to facilitate the emergence of a Christian Deputy Governor for the 2027 Gubernatorial elections.
He revealed that they vehemently rejected the continuous Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket considering their contributions, dedication and population in the state.
“ We want to use this medium to notify his excellency that we have capable hands in Niger East (zoneB), Senatorial District,who have the prerequisite requirements and are dedicated members of APC.
“ Information at our disposal indicate that we have more of Christians in Zone B of the state,then why not give the body a fair treatment by picking a Deputy from amongst Christians” the Secretary asked.
According to him, Christians are over forty five percent (45%) in terms of population in Niger state, the ruling government has undermined and relegated Christians; in the just concluded Primaries of the APC, qualified and popular Christian politicians who Aspired to contest and be voted into various elective positions were compelled to drop their ambitions because of their religion.
Comrade Jude Johnson emphasized that having a Christian Deputy Governor in Niger state is not just about religion but it is important because of inclusive representation; justice, equity and fairness; strengthened Democracy and unity of purpose.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Coalition, Mr Jonathan Tsado Vatsa insisted in an equal representation of christian in governance, adding that the group is on the same page with the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN in Niger state in the agitation of Christian deputy governor.
Vatsa stated that allowing such marginalisation and deliberate segregation during the previous administration during the 2023 elections, they will not tolerate it this second term. Saying that same faith (Muslim-Muslim) ticket is insensitive to the state’s religious diversity.
He said, as a coalition, we declare that it is not politically, economically, educationally, or socially wise for us to accept another four years of a Muslim-Muslim ticket. This is a legitimate concern for equity, and no one can query our right to demand a seat at the table.

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