According to a report by Daily Trust on Thursday, March 5, 2026, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has intensified its call for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, by formally petitioning the National Assembly of Nigeria.
The Islamic advocacy group said it decided to escalate the matter to the National Assembly after earlier appeals to the Federal Government for Amupitan’s removal failed to yield results.
MURIC’s demand is linked to an 80-page legal brief allegedly authored by Amupitan in which he reportedly discussed claims of genocide and crimes against humanity in Nigeria. According to the group, the document contains assertions that it believes portray Muslims and the northern region negatively.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, the organisation said it had lost confidence in Amupitan’s ability to oversee Nigeria’s electoral process in a neutral and impartial manner.
Akintola argued that anyone associated with what he described as a controversial report should not be entrusted with the responsibility of conducting national elections. He maintained that the integrity of the electoral process must be protected ahead of future polls.
The group therefore called on lawmakers to intervene by initiating steps that would lead to the removal of the INEC chairman. MURIC urged the National Assembly to thoroughly review the circumstances surrounding the document and determine whether Amupitan is fit to remain in office.
MURIC also warned that failure to address the issue could erode trust among certain groups in the country’s electoral system.
The controversy surrounding the legal brief dates back several years when Amupitan reportedly authored the document as an academic contribution while serving as a faculty member at a university.
The report reportedly discussed patterns of violence in Nigeria and referenced international crimes such as genocide and war crimes.
Despite the mounting criticism from MURIC and some Islamic organisations, there has been no official response from INEC or the federal government regarding the latest petition submitted to the National Assembly.
The development adds a new dimension to the debate surrounding Amupitan’s appointment and the broader issue of public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral management body.