Lawmakers Suspend Debate on Electoral Bill as Shari’ah Council Questions INEC Chair

The Nigerian Senate deferred the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026, as the Shari’ah Council calls for INEC Chairman’s removal over credibility concerns

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday postponed deliberations on the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026, opting to subject proposed amendments to further scrutiny before taking a final decision.

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The deferment followed the review of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters report during plenary, held in the absence of committee chairman Senator Simon Lalong.

Senators resolved to step down debate to allow more time to study the bill, with consideration now resuming on Thursday.

The upper chamber also agreed to reconvene in an executive session to discuss sensitive aspects of the proposed electoral reforms behind closed doors, reflecting concerns over the legislation’s far-reaching implications.

Although the House of Representatives has already passed the bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasised caution as preparations for future elections intensify.

“This is a very important bill, especially as it is election time. We must take our time to ensure justice is done to all, so that we do not end up at the tribunal,” Akpabio said.

The committee’s report recommends that the bill, if enacted, would enhance electoral integrity, transparency, and public confidence, expand voter participation, safeguard against malpractice, and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Meanwhile, the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) called for the immediate removal of INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, alleging that his continued tenure poses “a serious threat” to Nigeria’s electoral credibility.

Speaking at the council’s 2026 Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly in Abuja, President Sheikh Bashir Umar cited a legal brief allegedly authored by Amupitan, which claimed the existence of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.

Umar argued that the document has deepened mistrust and raised concerns about the chairman’s impartiality.

“An electoral umpire must not only be neutral, he must be seen to be neutral. How can Nigerians, especially Muslims, repose confidence in an INEC chairman linked to such a divisive narrative?” Umar questioned.

He stressed that the call is not motivated by religious bias but by concern for fairness, justice, and national unity.

The SCSN urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to act swiftly to ensure credible and peaceful elections.

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“We want elections that all Nigerians can accept, but if the leadership of INEC remains under this cloud, many Muslims will find it difficult to recognise or legitimise the outcome,” Umar said.