Shehu Sani Condemns Threats Against INEC Chair, Urges Focus On Credible Elections

Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has strongly condemned threats and attacks directed at the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, describing them as unacceptable and counterproductive.

In a statement shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, the former federal lawmaker said targeting the INEC chairman through threats, mistrust and accusations was “not the way to go,” especially ahead of the 2027 general election.

His comments come amid calls by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and Shariah Council of Nigeria, which recently urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove Amupitan as INEC chairman.

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Northern States has cautioned religious bodies against being used for political intimidation.

CAN advised the Shari’ah Council to publicly identify any individual or group behind the campaign against the INEC boss, insisting that religious platforms should not serve as “cheap cover” for political interests.

Reacting to the controversy, Sani emphasised the need to protect democratic institutions, stressing that INEC’s leadership should be supported rather than threatened.

“Threats, mistrusts and casting aspersions on the INEC chairman is unconscionable and not the way to go,” Sani said.

He added that the priority should be to task, monitor and support the electoral body to ensure the conduct of credible and transparent elections essential for the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.