The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN) has cautioned the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) against what it described as inflammatory statements capable of heightening tensions in the country, following the Council’s call for the resignation and prosecution of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan.
In a press statement titled “Resignation of INEC Chairman: A Call for Caution,” and signed by its Council Chairman, Elder Sunday Oyibe, and Chief Executive Officer, Bosun Emmanuel, the group urged restraint amid Nigeria’s prevailing challenges.
“With the many challenges confronting Nigeria today, every patriotic citizen ought to exercise great restraint with actions and statements capable of escalating an already volatile situation,” the statement read.
The CSMN expressed concern over remarks attributed to the SCSN during its 2026 annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture, where its President, Sheikh Bashir Umar, reportedly said Muslims would neither recognise nor legitimise any election conducted under Prof. Amupitan’s leadership. The Council cited what it described as “serious integrity and neutrality concerns” and labelled the INEC chairman “a threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process.”
Describing the position of the Shari’ah Council as divisive and potentially destabilising, the Christian group said it was not acting on behalf of any political administration but was motivated by a commitment to justice and national unity.
The CSMN emphasised that the appointment of the INEC chairman is constitutionally vested in the President, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly. It recalled that former President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Prof. Attahiru Jega, a Muslim, as INEC chairman without objections from the Shari’ah Council. Similarly, it noted that President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, also a Muslim, without calls for election boycotts.
“Now, President Tinubu duly appoints Prof. Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman and SCSN has suddenly found a voice, threatening to lead a Muslim boycott of elections,” the statement said, questioning whether the reaction would have been the same if the appointee were a northern Muslim.
Addressing the concerns raised against Prof. Amupitan, the CSMN described as “trivial” allegations linked to a legal opinion he reportedly offered in his capacity as a legal practitioner regarding reports of violence against Christians in Nigeria. The group argued that expressing a legal opinion should not constitute grounds for dismissal.
The movement further alleged that the Shari’ah Council’s objection was rooted more in religious considerations than in questions of professional competence. It cited Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion, and warned against intolerance in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.
Drawing comparisons with other public office holders, the CSMN noted that appointments of individuals associated with Islamic organisations to federal institutions have not elicited similar reactions from Christian groups. It referenced the appointment of Prof. Ishaq Oloyede as Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), as well as the tenure of former Minister of Communications, Isa Ibrahim Pantami, stating that no calls were made for their removal on religious grounds.
The group concluded that the call for Prof. Amupitan’s dismissal amounted to religious bigotry and urged religious leaders across the country to prioritise national cohesion over sectarian interests.
