The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN), has warned that the planned Voter revalidation exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), could trigger unrest in the country.
It specifically declared that the INEC voter’s revalidation exercise is targeted at wilfully reducing the voting strength of the people, particularly the Muslim Northerners, stressing that insecurity and travel difficulties will not allow many to revalidate their voters cards.
The Council therefore called on all relevant stakeholders and authorities especially the National Assembly to as matter of national concerns and interest, reject the planned INEC Voter revalidation exercise.
President of SCSN, Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, who stated the position of the Council on Friday, April 3, 2026, during a sermon at Furqan Mosque, Kano, also reaffirmed the call for the resignation of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.
Dr Umar noted that the directive by INEC for all registered 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.
He particularly expressed concern over the timing and motives behind the strange policy by INEC, stressing that the plot by the electoral body was a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise millions of Nigerian voters, especially those in densely populated areas.
Dr Umar described the planned exercise as “unfair and unjust”, stressing that it could precipitate unrest and other unintended consequences, including the disruption of the 2027 general elections.
The renowned Islamic scholar while referencing similar protests and instability in countries like Sudan, Libya,
Syria, cautioned Nigerian authorities not to take the fragile peace and stability in the country for granted.
The cleric noted that the INEC under Prof Amupitan is deliberately embarking on the revalidation exercise with the purpose of disenfranchising millions of voters.
In the words of Umar; “There is no such provision in the Electoral Act. Whosoever has a voter’s card, has the right to vote and decide who governs.
“Amupitan-led INEC is simply trying to render the voter’s card useless despite the fact that we spent so much time sensitizing people on its importance.
“An exercise that is scheduled for within two months is only primed for some sinister motives, including mass disenfranchisement of voters,” he stressed.
He said that it was high time for the INEC Chairman to resign before he plunges the country into serious and unimaginable crisis, adding that is clear that Amupitan is harbouring sinister intentions against Muslims in Nigeria.
In the words of Umar; “The short timeline for the exercise is untenable, and will only achieve one purpose – the disenfranchisement of eligible voters”.
