The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Northern States has rejected the call by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan.
Northern CAN also challenged the Shari’ah Council to openly identify any individual or group behind what it described as a campaign against the INEC chairman, warning that religious platforms must not be used as a “cheap cover” to pursue political interests or intimidate public officials.
The Shari’ah Council had earlier demanded the immediate removal and prosecution of Professor Amupitan, alleging compromised integrity over a legal brief in which he reportedly acknowledged claims of persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Reacting in a statement issued on Thursday, the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, and the Secretary General, Bishop Mohammed Naga, questioned the motive behind the demand, asking who was sponsoring it and why such interests were hiding under the banner of a religious body.
CAN described the call as a dangerous attempt to politicise religion and undermine a key national institution, stressing that Professor Amupitan has a constitutional right to freedom of religion. It argued that expressing concern over challenges faced by one’s faith does not amount to bias or disqualification from holding public office.
The association noted that many Muslims who had previously served in sensitive government positions had religious antecedents but were not subjected to similar scrutiny, urging Nigerians to prioritise competence and national interest over sectarian considerations.
CAN further warned that the controversy reinforces concerns about persistent religious discrimination against Christians in Nigeria, particularly in appointments to strategic national offices. It recalled that the two immediate past INEC chairmen were Muslims from Northern Nigeria, cautioning against narratives that suggest that leadership of the electoral body should be limited to adherents of a particular religion.
According to the statement, those hiding under the guise of a religious organisation to demand the removal of the INEC chairman over political or sectarian interests should openly declare themselves, adding that the most important issue should be whether Professor Amupitan is competent, not his faith.
Northern CAN commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a Christian as INEC chairman, describing the move as an expression of statesmanship and inclusivity. It noted that similar precedents were set under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The association, however, urged the INEC chairman not to be distracted by the controversy and to remain focused on his constitutional responsibility of conducting free, fair and credible elections.
It also expressed concern over what it described as emerging signals of a coordinated political agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing recent public comments that emphasise religious considerations in future political alignments. CAN warned that framing national politics strictly around religious identity rather than competence and equity could undermine unity and confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Northern CAN stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not be held hostage to religious calculations, warning that any attempt to narrow political leadership to one faith or region would deepen divisions and threaten national cohesion.
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