The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has warned that it will not recognise or legitimise elections conducted under conditions it considers compromised, stressing the need to safeguard the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The position was made known on Wednesday in Abuja during the Council’s Annual Pre Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly, which brought together Islamic scholars, traditional and community leaders, professionals, representatives of Islamic organisations and members of the media.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Council, Sheikh Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, emphasised that public confidence in democratic institutions, particularly those responsible for conducting elections, is crucial to national stability. He stated that democratic legitimacy cannot exist without integrity and transparency.
According to him, the Council would not accept any election overseen by individuals with questionable integrity, warning that elections conducted under such circumstances would lack credibility and public trust. The Council also expressed concern over developments surrounding the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission, noting that the integrity of the electoral umpire must be beyond reproach.
Beyond electoral issues, the Council highlighted broader national challenges, describing Nigeria as being at a critical crossroads marked by worsening insecurity, economic hardship and declining public confidence in governance. It noted that millions of Nigerians are grappling with inflation, unemployment and rising costs of living.
On insecurity, the Council reiterated its condemnation of violence and terrorism in all forms, calling for effective security measures alongside peaceful reconciliation. It noted that Muslim communities have been disproportionately affected by insecurity, while stressing that every human life, regardless of religion, is sacred.
The Council also rejected what it described as misleading narratives around religious violence and urged responsible public discourse to prevent further division. On economic governance, it criticised aspects of ongoing tax reforms, insisting that fiscal policies must be equitable and humane, while also raising concerns over budget priorities and federal appointments.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful coexistence, the Council restated that the practice of Shari’ah is a constitutional right of Muslims and urged moral renewal as Ramadan approaches.
