Revalidation Exercise: Shariah Council Accuses INEC Chairman Of Targeting Muslim North, Insists On His Resignation

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The President of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, SCSN, Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, has flayed the planned Voter revalidation exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, warning that it could trigger unrest in the country.

This is as he reaffirmed the earlier call by the Sharia Council for the resignation of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

Dr Umar, also,  called on all  relevant authorities, particularly the National  Assembly, to reject the planned Voter revalidation exercise.

In his Friday sermon, Dr Umar who is the Chief Imam of Al-Furqan Mosque in Kano said the directive by the electoral body for all register voters across the country to revalidate their voters cards within the short period remaining before the 2027 polls could lead to the disenfranchisement of millions of voters.

The renowned Islamic scholar and cleric expressed serious concern about the timing and motives behind the INEC strange policy which he fears may severely affect millions of Nigerians, especially those in densely populated areas.

While describing the planned exercise as unfair and unjust, Dr Umar warned it could precipitate unrest ,and other unintended consequences, including the disruption of the 2027 general elections.

Referencing similar protests and instability in such countries as the Sudan, Libya,

Syria, the SCSN President cautioned Nigerian authorities not to take for granted the fragile peace and stability in the country.

The Islamic Cleric expressed regret that the INEC is embarking on such an exercise with the potentiality of disenfranchising millions of voters, even when there is no provision for such in the Electoral Act.

“Whosoever has a voter’s card has the right to vote and decide who  governs. They are simply trying to render the voter’s card useless despite the fact that we spent a long time sensitizing people on its importance”, Umar lamented.

According to him, an exercise that is scheduled for within two months ,is only primed for some sinister motives, including mass disenfranchisement of voters.

While reiterating his earlier call on the INEC Chairman to resign and or be removed, the SCSN leader accused him of harbouring sinister intentions against Muslims in Nigeria.

He alleged that the revalidation exercise is targetted at wilfully reducing the voting strength of the people, noting that insecurity and travel difficulties will not allow many to revalidate their voters cards.

The short timeline for the exercise, according to him is untenable, and will only achieve one purpose – the disenfranchisement of eligible voters.