The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has strongly rejected a recent demand by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) for the sack of Professor Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing it as an attempt to polarise the nation along religious lines.
The Shari’ah Council, at its recent gathering in Abuja, had urged the immediate removal and prosecution of Prof. Amupitan, accusing him of compromised integrity due to a past legal brief in which he reportedly acknowledged claims of persecution against Christians in Nigeria. The council also warned that Muslims across the country “would not recognise” elections conducted under his leadership.
However, in a statement issued jointly by Northern CAN Chairman Rev. Joseph John Hayab and Secretary-General Bishop Mohammed Naga, the Christian body blasted the call as a “dangerous and unjustified attempt to politicise religion and undermine a critical national institution.” It said that Prof. Amupitan, like all Nigerians, enjoys constitutional freedom of religion and that expressing concern about one’s faith challenges does not equate to bias or disqualification from public office.
Northern CAN questioned the motives behind the sustained campaign and asked who was sponsoring the initiative, stressing that it was inappropriate for religious platforms to be used as covers for political interests. The association urged Nigerians to prioritise competence, integrity and national cohesion over sectarian considerations.
The group noted that several Muslims previously held sensitive national positions, including the two immediate past INEC chairmen from northern Nigeria, without facing similar calls for removal. It warned that framing leadership of Nigeria’s electoral body strictly along religious lines could deepen divisions and threaten the nation’s fragile unity.
Northern CAN also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a Christian as INEC chairman, calling the decision a demonstration of inclusivity and national balance, and urged Prof. Amupitan to remain focused on his constitutional duty of conducting free, fair and credible elections.
The association additionally expressed concern that the controversy may reflect broader political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging all actors to avoid using religion as a tool in political contests.
Meanwhile, other Christian groups including the National Christian Alliance for Good Governance in Nigeria (NCAGG) and the Christian Media Forum have also condemned the Shari’ah Council’s stance as undemocratic and divisive, warning that such rhetoric could erode public confidence in democratic institutions and inflame religious tensions.
