By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA – The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has declared that it will not recognise or legitimise elections performed below circumstances it thought-about compromised, warning that the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic course of should be protected, forward of the 2027 basic elections.
The place was made recognized on the Council’s Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and Basic Meeting, attended by Islamic students, conventional and neighborhood leaders, professionals, representatives of Islamic organisations and the media in Abuja yesterday.
The gathering featured remarks by the President of the Shariah Council, Sheikh Bashir Aliyu Umar, and Madakin Zazzau, Mallam Muhammadu Munir Ja’afaru.
Talking on the occasion, the chief of the Council stated public confidence in establishments, significantly these answerable for elections, was central to nationwide stability, noting that democratic legitimacy couldn’t exist with out integrity.
“The Council has clearly acknowledged that the Ummah is not going to recognise or legitimise any election presided over by a personality with questionable integrity, as democratic credibility mustn’t ever be compromised,” Umar stated.
The Islamic physique expressed concern over developments surrounding the management of the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee, INEC, warning that elections performed below questionable circumstances would lack public belief.
“No election performed below a cloud of compromised integrity might be recognised as credible,” the Council acknowledged.
Past electoral issues, the Shariah Council painted a grim image of the state of the nation, describing Nigeria as dealing with worsening insecurity, financial hardship and declining public belief, with thousands and thousands struggling below inflation, unemployment and rising prices of residing.
“Nigeria at the moment stands at a essential crossroads. The nation is confronted by worsening insecurity, widespread lack of lives, financial hardship, erosion of public belief, and deep social anxiousness,” Umar stated.
On insecurity and terrorism, the Council reiterated its condemnation of violence in all its types, whereas calling for each efficient safety measures and peaceable reconciliation.
It famous that Muslim communities had been closely affected by ongoing violence throughout the nation.
“The Council has offered irrefutable evidential information demonstrating that Muslim communities represent a disproportionate variety of victims within the ongoing insecurity and terrorism throughout Nigeria,” Umar stated.
, including that each human life, Muslim or Christian, was sacred and inviolable.
The Council additionally rejected what it described as deceptive and inflammatory narratives round spiritual violence, urging accountable public discourse to keep away from deepening divisions.
“The Council firmly debunked and rejected deceptive and inflammatory propaganda, together with the so-called ‘Christian genocide’ narrative,” Umar stated.
On financial governance, the Shariah Council criticised elements of Nigeria’s tax reform efforts, arguing that fiscal insurance policies mustn’t impose unjust hardship on bizarre Nigerians.
It additionally raised issues over finances implementation, mis-prioritisation and underfunding of essential establishments within the 2025 and 2026 nationwide budgets.
“The Council firmly opposes any tax reform that imposes unjust hardship on bizarre Nigerians and insists that each one fiscal insurance policies should be equitable, humane, and socially accountable,” Umar stated.
The Council additional decried what it described as systemic imbalance in federal appointments, warning that such practices undermined constitutional fairness and nationwide cohesion.
“The imbalance in federal appointments raises critical ethical, constitutional and nationwide cohesion issues,” Umar stated.
On spiritual rights, the Council reaffirmed that the implementation of Shari’ah was a constitutional proper of Muslims and applies solely to them, whereas restating its dedication to peaceable coexistence.
“Islam is Shariah, as there is no such thing as a Islam with out Shariah, and Muslims is not going to settle for any constitutional modification that falls wanting granting Muslims their proper,” the Council stated.
The Shariah Council additionally condemned the continued battle in Gaza, describing it as genocide, and expressed concern over what it referred to as a worldwide conspiracy of silence relating to the struggling of the Palestinian individuals, whereas persevering with to advocate justice and humanitarian entry.
In his remarks, Mallam Muhammadu Munir Ja’afaru, described the Shariah Council as a principled and brave voice of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah, noting its position in selling justice, unity and nationwide stability.
“In a plural and sophisticated nation like Nigeria, the existence of such a physique is just not solely fascinating however indispensable,” Ja’afaru stated.
As Ramadan approaches, the Council urged Islamic students to make use of Tafseer periods to advertise unity, ethical reformation, accountable civic engagement and moral management, stressing that nationwide renewal requires ethical accountability.
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