ABUJA, NIGERIA — A prominent Islamic body, the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), has reportedly called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the appointment or retention of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, over what the Council alleges were past "sectarian and divisive remarks."¹

While Professor Yakubu recently stepped down from his role following the expiration of his second term, the Council's statement addresses his legacy and the sensitive nature of appointments to key national institutions, particularly amidst the country's diverse religious and ethnic landscape.

🗣️ Allegations of Partisanship and Bias

The call by the Shari'ah Council is rooted in alleged comments attributed to the INEC Chairman in the past, which the SCSN argues displayed a lack of neutrality and a sectarian bias that made him unfit to oversee an impartial electoral process for the entire federation.²

• Focus on Past Conduct: The Council's communique reportedly revisited specific instances and public statements made by Professor Yakubu, claiming they revealed a disposition that favoured one religious or regional group over others.³

• Compromise of INEC's Integrity: The SCSN argued that a body as crucial as INEC, which serves as the ultimate arbiter of Nigeria's democratic process, must be led by an individual whose public and private conduct is unimpeachable and completely devoid of sectional or religious sentiment.

• Plea for National Unity: The body urged President Tinubu to prioritize national unity and confidence in public institutions by ensuring that the next leadership of INEC, and indeed all federal appointments, are demonstrably non-partisan and broadly acceptable to all segments of Nigerian society.

A statement from a leader within the SCSN reportedly stressed: "We have drawn the attention of the President to the antecedents of the former INEC Chair. An individual in such a pivotal position must command the total trust of all Nigerians, irrespective of their faith or tribe. Any record of sectarian remarks disqualifies one from such a sensitive national assignment."

📝 Government and INEC Yet to Formally Respond

While the request comes at a time when Professor Yakubu has already officially handed over the affairs of the commission following the conclusion of his tenure, the move by the Shari'ah Council signals the continued importance of public perception regarding the neutrality of electoral management bodies.

Neither the Presidency nor the former INEC Chairman has issued an official statement directly addressing the SCSN's specific allegations of sectarian remarks. The focus now shifts to President Tinubu's administration as it begins the critical process of appointing a substantive new Chairperson for the Independent National Electoral Commission.