MURIC demands removal of INEC chairman over Osun REC move

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has again called for the removal of INEC Chairman Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, alleging professional misconduct after the recent redeployment of the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Mutiu Agboke. In a statement circulated to journalists on Monday, MURIC’s executive director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the circumstances surrounding Agboke’s replacement raise serious questions about the independence of Nigeria’s electoral body.

According to MURIC, Agboke was replaced by Mrs Toyin Babalola, a retired INEC director, in a move the group describes as “questionable.” The organization cites remarks by Mr Abayomi Arabambi, national vice‑chairman of the Labour Party (South‑West), who alleged that the removal followed a petition submitted by the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State. MURIC interprets the episode as evidence of undue political interference in INEC’s operations.

“The resident electoral commissioner of Osun State, Barrister Mutiu Agboke, was recently replaced by Mrs Toyin Babalola, a retired director of INEC,” the statement read. “Shortly thereafter, the Labour Party’s national vice‑chairman disclosed that the removal was prompted by a petition from the APC state chairman. This revelation deeply unsettles us, as it suggests a referee made a unilateral decision without consultation.”

The group also faulted INEC for failing to provide an official explanation for the redeployment, labelling the action “reckless, thoughtless and despotic.” It further highlighted that Mrs Babalola, despite being a retired official, is reportedly still involved in a pending court case, casting doubt on the propriety of her appointment.

MURIC demanded that Agboke’s redeployment be reversed, insisting the decision was politically motivated and contravened due‑process requirements. The organization reiterated its call for Professor Amupitan’s removal, referencing a series of controversies linked to his tenure, including allegations of authoring an “80‑page Christian genocide legal brief to America,” the delisting of a political party and activity on a contentious X (formerly Twitter) account.

“With the numerous agitations against him over past and present misdeeds, it has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that he is incapable of taking independent and unbiased decisions,” the statement added. Akintola warned that allowing Amupitan to remain at the helm could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process. “Leaving the fate of more than 220 million Nigerians in the hands of such a compromised individual is akin to giving a fully loaded aircraft to a carpenter who has never driven a car,” he said.

MURIC concluded by urging authorities to act swiftly to remove the INEC chairman and restore public trust in the electoral system. The group said immediate action is essential to safeguard the credibility of forthcoming elections and to ensure that Nigeria’s electoral institution operates free from partisan influence.