TAX: Shari’ah Council Rejects Tax Laws, Demands Removal of INEC Chairman

T The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has called for the immediate removal and prosecution of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, declaring that no election conducted under what it described as a cloud of compromised integrity can be credible.

The Islamic organisation also rejected government policies, including the controversial tax reform, which it said were capable of imposing unjust hardship on ordinary Nigerians.

These positions were contained in a welcome address delivered by the President of the Council, Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly of the SCSN, themed “Nigeria’s Future: Faith, Justice and Leadership,” held in Abuja. Islamic scholars and delegates from across the country were in attendance.

According to Dr Umar, the call for the INEC chairman’s removal became imperative following a legal brief allegedly authored by Prof. Amupitan, in which he reportedly established the existence of a Christian genocide—an allegation the Federal Government has categorically dismissed.

“The position taken by the INEC chairman places him in direct conflict with Nigeria’s official stance,” Umar said.

“We demand the immediate removal and prosecution of the INEC chairman and declare that no election conducted under a cloud of compromised integrity can be recognised as credible,” he added.

Umar further stated that the INEC boss’s stance was unacceptable and showed clear religious bias, insisting that Nigeria requires an electoral umpire whose integrity is unquestionable and impartial.

“We need someone whose integrity is not compromised. Because of the compromise of his integrity, we feel that the honourable thing for him to do is to resign. If not, the government should dismiss him or compulsorily retire him from service,” he said.

On fiscal matters, Dr Umar said the SCSN firmly opposed any tax reform that places undue burden on citizens, stressing that all government fiscal policies must be equitable, humane and socially responsible.

He also criticised what he described as the alleged unconstitutional alteration of tax reform bills by some agents of the executive arm of government after passage by the National Assembly.

Consequently, the Council called on the legislature to conduct a public hearing and undertake a comprehensive forensic review of all laws passed since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.

“It is our considered view that the National Assembly should conduct a public hearing and, more importantly, undertake a comprehensive forensic review of all laws passed since the commencement of this 10th Assembly,” Umar said.

The SCSN also condemned terrorism in all its forms, urging the Federal Government to fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and ensuring peace, through both security action and peaceful reconciliation.

“The Council categorically rejects the premeditated false and inflammatory propaganda of a Christian genocide narrative and warns that dishonest public discourse fuels division, mistrust and national instability,” Umar stated.

He further said the Council opposed foreign interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, including the establishment of any foreign military base, while affirming that the religious freedom of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah is constitutionally guaranteed and non-negotiable.

Also speaking at the event, the Madakin Zazzau, Mallam Muhammadu Munir Ja’afaru, described the Shari’ah Council as a credible, principled and courageous voice of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah.

He noted that the Council has consistently demonstrated concern not only for religious issues but also for national unity, justice and development.

“The Council has distinguished itself through strategic engagement, defending constitutional rights, promoting peaceful coexistence and constructively engaging government and society on critical national issues,” Ja’afaru said.