The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has firmly rejected recent calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) demanding the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan.
CAN described the demand as a dangerous attempt to politicise religion and undermine the credibility of one of Nigeria’s most critical democratic institutions.
The Shari’ah Council had earlier called for the immediate removal and prosecution of the INEC chairman, citing concerns over a legal brief in which Professor Amupitan reportedly acknowledged claims relating to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. According to the council, such an acknowledgement raised questions about the neutrality of the electoral umpire.
However, Northern CAN, reacting strongly to the development, said the call was ill-motivated and capable of inflaming religious tensions in an already fragile national environment. In a statement issued on Thursday and jointly signed by the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, and its Secretary-General, Bishop Mohammed Naga, the association questioned the motive behind the Shari’ah Council’s action and challenged those behind the call to be transparent about their intentions.
The Christian body asked pointedly who was sponsoring the demand for the INEC chairman’s removal and why such an agenda was being pursued under the guise of a religious organisation. According to CAN, hiding political interests behind religious platforms not only undermines national cohesion but also erodes public trust in institutions meant to serve all Nigerians, regardless of faith or ethnicity.
Northern CAN warned that using religion as a basis for questioning the integrity or suitability of public office holders was extremely dangerous. It noted that Nigeria’s history is replete with examples of how religious and ethnic manipulation has fueled division, violence, and mistrust, and cautioned against reopening old wounds through reckless rhetoric.
The association stressed that Professor Amupitan, like every Nigerian citizen, enjoys the constitutional right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression. It argued that expressing concern about challenges faced by one’s faith community does not automatically translate to bias or disqualification from holding public office.
“Raising concerns about issues affecting one’s religious group does not in itself amount to partisanship or lack of professionalism,” the statement said. “If such a standard were applied, many Nigerians who have served or are serving in sensitive national positions would have been unjustly disqualified.”
CAN further observed that several Muslims in the past had occupied key national offices while being openly associated with religious causes or advocacy, yet they were not subjected to the same level of scrutiny or calls for removal. According to the association, this selective outrage raises serious questions about fairness and consistency.
The Christian body urged Nigerians to shift focus from religious affiliation to competence, integrity, and commitment to national interest when assessing public officials. It argued that the strength of Nigeria’s democracy lies in its ability to rise above sectarian considerations and judge leaders based on performance and adherence to constitutional principles.
Northern CAN also expressed concern that the controversy surrounding the INEC chairman reinforces longstanding complaints of religious discrimination against Christians, particularly in appointments to strategic national positions. The association recalled that the two immediate past INEC chairmen were Muslims from Northern Nigeria, a fact it said underscores the need for balance and inclusivity rather than exclusion.
It warned against narratives suggesting that leadership of the electoral body, or any other key institution, should be restricted to adherents of a particular religion. Such thinking, CAN said, is not only unconstitutional but also dangerous to national unity.
“Anyone hiding under the guise of a religious council to demand the removal of the INEC chairman for political or sectarian reasons should come out openly,” the statement declared. “Competence, integrity, and commitment to the nation—not faith—should remain the benchmark for public office.”
The association commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a Christian as INEC chairman, describing the decision as a demonstration of inclusivity, fairness, and national unity. According to CAN, the appointment sent a positive signal that Nigeria belongs to all, irrespective of religious or ethnic background.
CAN also referenced the precedent set by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who, despite political pressure, retained a northern Muslim as INEC chairman during his administration. The association said this example showed that national interest and institutional stability should always supersede partisan or sectarian considerations.
In addition, Northern CAN advised the Supreme Council for Shari’ah to clearly identify any individual or group behind the campaign against Professor Amupitan. It warned that religious platforms should not be used as cover for political interests or as tools to intimidate public officials carrying out their constitutional duties.
The association also urged the INEC chairman himself not to be distracted by the controversy, but to remain focused on his mandate to conduct free, fair, and credible elections. According to CAN, allowing distractions to derail the leadership of INEC could undermine public confidence in the electoral process at a critical time.
“He should concentrate on doing what is right for Nigerians and not be drawn into distractions capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process,” the statement added.
Beyond the immediate controversy, Northern CAN raised broader concerns about what it described as emerging signals of a coordinated political agenda ahead of the 2027 general election. It cited recent comments attributed to the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, suggesting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) could risk electoral defeat if it abandons a Northern Muslim-Muslim ticket for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
According to the association, when such statements are viewed alongside sustained criticism of a Christian INEC chairman, they raise troubling questions about whether there is a broader effort to weaken Christian confidence and participation in the political process.
Northern CAN warned against framing Nigeria’s political future strictly along religious lines, stressing that democracy should be driven by competence, equity, fairness, and national cohesion rather than sectarian calculations.
The group cautioned that any attempt to narrow political leadership or participation to a particular faith or region could deepen divisions and threaten the country’s fragile unity. It urged political leaders, religious organisations, and citizens alike to resist the temptation to exploit religion for political gain.
As Nigeria moves closer to another crucial election cycle, CAN called on all stakeholders to prioritize peace, unity, and the integrity of democratic institutions. According to the association, safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy requires collective responsibility and a firm commitment to the principles of fairness, inclusion, and respect for constitutional order.
