CITIZENS COMPASS— Sokoto branch of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to schedule the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections for 21st February 2026, a date that falls within the holy month of Ramadan, the sacred period of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection for Muslims all over the world. “https://www.inecnigeria.org/2026-federal-capital-territory-fct-area-council-election/”
MURIC considers this decision as insensitive, exclusionary, and discriminatory against Nigerian Muslims, particularly those residing in the FCT.
Ramadan is a spiritually intense period during which Muslims abstain from food and water from dawn to sunset while engaging in religious observances. Fixing elections during this period imposes unnecessary hardship on Muslim voters, candidates, ad hoc staff, and security personnel, thereby impairing their right to effective political participation.
Nigeria is a multi religious and pluralistic society. Public institutions are constitutionally obligated to treat all citizens with fairness and neutrality. Just as national elections are not usually fixed on Christmas Day or other major Christian religious festivals, it is unjust and provocative to fix elections in the heart of Ramadan.
MURIC notes with concern that this is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern that reinforces widespread Muslim perceptions of institutional bias within INEC’s leadership. This development explains why Muslims across the country have consistently demanded the removal of the current Chairman, whose actions have repeatedly failed to reflect religious balance, equity, and sensitivity.
MURIC therefore calls on:
1. INEC to immediately review and shift the election date to a period outside Ramadan.
2. The Federal Government and National Assembly to intervene urgently to prevent avoidable religious tension.
3. Civil society and religious leaders to rise in defence of fairness, inclusion, and national unity.
Democracy must never be built on the marginalisation of any religious group. An election conducted in a manner that disadvantages Muslims cannot be described as free, fair, or credible.
INEC must act swiftly to reverse this decision in the interest of justice, peace, and national cohesion.
