0
0
The North Central Youth Leaders Alliance (NCYLA) has kicked against recent calls by the Sharia Council of Nigeria for the removal of Prof Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the move as unconstitutional and an attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.
In a statement jointly signed by its Convener, Mallam Ibrahim Abubakar, and other youth mobilisers, the group said the Sharia Council, being a religious body, has no constitutional authority to interfere in matters relating to electoral administration in Nigeria.
The alliance warned that such calls could destabilise the nation’s electoral system and erode public confidence in INEC, stressing that the commission must be allowed to operate independently without pressure from religious or sectional interests.
According to the statement, Amupitan’s leadership has demonstrated transparency, fairness, and inclusiveness, referencing the conduct of the recent Anambra State gubernatorial election as evidence of his commitment to credible elections.
The group faulted what it described as attempts to malign the INEC chairman based on his religious background or regional origin, noting that competence and integrity, not faith or ethnicity, should remain the basis for public appointments.
NCYLA further commended President Bola Tinubu for reforms initiated so far in strengthening democratic institutions, adding that the president’s nomination of Amupitan was based on merit and capacity.
The youth leaders urged politicians, civil society organisations, and the general public to respect the independence of INEC and allow the chairman to carry out his mandate without undue interference.
They also emphasized that any grievances regarding the performance of the electoral body should be addressed through constitutional and legal channels rather than public pressure or religious sentiments.
The alliance declared its support for Amupitan and called on those behind the campaign for his removal to retract their statements and apologize to the INEC chairman and Nigerians.
The statement was signed by Mallam Ibrahim Abubakar as Convener, alongside Comrades Babayemi Jossy Dada Jimoh, Joe Mesele, Jimoh Onimisi, Akpa Dako, Babatunde Maxwell, Ayo Ibinola,Tijani Usman, Kolade Olaoluwa, Mohammed Adoji, Gana Aminu, Joshua Dagat, Austin Adebanji, Yomi David, Fisayo and Datti Agbo as mobilizer from the North Central region.
