Senate defers Electoral Act Bill for further review as Shari’ah Council questions INEC chairman’s credibility ahead of upcoming elections

The Senate on Wednesday deferred consideration of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026, to allow further scrutiny of proposed amendments, as deliberations continued on reforms intended to enhance electoral integrity across Nigeria.

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The decision followed discussions on the report of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, presented in plenary in the absence of the committee chairman, Senator Simon Lalong.

Senators agreed to reconvene the debate on Thursday, with an executive session planned to review sensitive aspects of the bill behind closed doors.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasised caution, stressing the importance of thorough analysis 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,” he said.

The committee’s report highlighted that the bill, if enacted, would strengthen transparency, boost public confidence in the electoral process, expand voter participation, and reinforce 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, asserting that his continued tenure undermines the credibility of elections nationwide.

Speaking at the council’s 2026 Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture in Abuja, President Sheikh Bashir Umar raised concerns over a legal brief allegedly authored by Amupitan claiming a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.

Umar said the brief had deepened mistrust and questioned 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 who has been linked to such a divisive narrative?” he asked.

He urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to act swiftly, emphasising that elections under the current INEC leadership could worsen tensions and erode public trust.

“We want peaceful, credible 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 of such elections,” Umar said.

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The SCSN stressed that its stance is rooted in national unity and democratic fairness rather than religious bias, calling for leadership that inspires confidence across all communities in Nigeria.