The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has rejected a recent demand by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) for the removal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.
Earlier this week, the Shari’ah Council called for Amupitan’s immediate removal and prosecution, questioning his integrity over a legal brief in which he reportedly acknowledged claims of persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
In response, Northern CAN leaders—including Chairman Reverend Joseph John Hayab and Secretary General Bishop Mohammed Naga—described the call as a dangerous attempt to politicize religion and undermine a key national institution. They questioned the motives behind the demand, asking who was sponsoring it and why such interests were hiding behind the platform of a religious body.
“Professor Amupitan has a constitutional right to freedom of religion,” Hayab said. “Expressing concern over challenges faced by his faith does not amount to bias or disqualification from public service.”
The association further noted that many Muslims have historically served in key government positions despite their religious backgrounds, yet were not subjected to similar scrutiny. They urged national actors to prioritize competence and the national interest over sectarian considerations.
Hayab warned that the controversy reinforces concerns about religious discrimination against Christians in Nigeria, particularly in appointments to sensitive offices. He recalled that the two immediate past INEC chairmen were Muslims from Northern Nigeria and stressed that narratives suggesting only adherents of a particular religion are qualified to lead the electoral body are harmful.
“Anyone hiding under the guise of the Shari’ah Council to demand the removal of the INEC chairman for political or sectarian interests should come forward. Otherwise, the ploy has died naturally,” the statement said.
Northern CAN commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a Christian as INEC Chairman, describing it as a deliberate effort to promote national unity and inclusivity. The association compared the move to the previous administration under President Goodluck Jonathan, which retained a northern Muslim as INEC chairman despite opposition.
The group urged Professor Amupitan not to be distracted by the controversy, advising him to remain focused on his constitutional responsibility of conducting free, fair, and credible elections. “He should concentrate on doing the right thing for Nigerians and not behave like others who manipulated elections in the past and now seek to remain relevant through religious blackmail,” the statement added.
Northern CAN also raised concerns about emerging signals of a coordinated political agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections. The association cited recent comments by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, warning that the All Progressives Congress (APC) risks electoral defeat if it drops a Northern Muslim-Muslim ticket from President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“These statements, coupled with sustained attacks on a Christian INEC chairman, raise legitimate questions about whether there is a deliberate effort to undermine Christian participation and confidence in Nigeria’s political process,” Northern CAN said.
The association stressed that framing national political survival solely around religious identity, rather than competence, equity, and cohesion, risks deepening divisions and threatening Nigeria’s fragile unity. “Our democracy cannot be held hostage to religious calculations. Attempts to narrow political leadership to a single faith or region will only deepen division and weaken national unity,” it concluded.