Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has strongly rejected a demand by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) for the removal of Professor Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the call as an attempt to politicise religion and undermine the independence of a key national institution. The statement marked a significant escalation in the ongoing public controversy over the leadership of Nigeria’s electoral authority ahead of the 2027 general election cycle.
The SCSN had earlier this week renewed its call for the immediate removal and possible prosecution of Professor Amupitan, alleging that his past academic views — particularly a legal brief he wrote that referenced claims of persecution of Christians in Nigeria — compromised his neutrality and suitability to lead INEC. The council also declared that segments of the Muslim community might not recognise elections conducted under his stewardship.
In response, CAN’s northern leadership, in a statement signed by the Chairman, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, and Secretary‑General, Bishop Mohammed Naga, criticised the Shari’ah council’s call as dangerous and divisive. The association questioned the motive behind the demand and urged transparency on who was sponsoring it, warning that religious platforms should not be used as a cover for political interests. CAN framed the appeal as an attempt to use religion to influence political and institutional processes rather than an expression of legitimate concern about electoral integrity.
Northern CAN emphasised that Professor Amupitan, like every Nigerian, is constitutionally entitled to freedom of religion. Expressing concern about the challenges faced by one’s faith community, the group argued, does not automatically equate to bias or disqualify an individual from holding public office. The association also pointed out that previous INEC chairmen who were Muslims had served in the role without similar scrutiny of their religious affiliations. It urged national actors to focus on competence, integrity and national interest rather than sectarian sentiment.
The association’s statement underscored broader sensitivities around religion and governance in Nigeria, a country with a deeply plural society where politics and faith often intersect. CAN expressed concern that such controversies could reinforce perceptions of religious discrimination, particularly against Christians, in appointments to strategic national positions. The body highlighted that Nigeria’s two immediate past INEC chairmen had been Muslims from the northern region, signalling that leadership of national institutions had historically transcended religious identity.
CAN also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a Christian as INEC chairman, characterising the decision as a demonstration of inclusivity and national unity. The group referenced past instances in which political leadership had maintained institutional balance across religious lines, including decisions taken under previous administrations.
In its statement, CAN urged Professor Amupitan not to be distracted by the controversy and to remain focused on his constitutional mandate to ensure free, fair and credible elections. It cautioned that allowing religious divisions to shape debates on public office holders could deepen sectarian tensions and undermine national cohesion.
Analysts note that the controversy occurs amid heightened political stakes as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. Public discourse around the impartiality and legitimacy of electoral institutions has become increasingly prominent, reflecting broader anxieties in the polity about democratic credibility and the role of identity in public life. Critics of the SCSN’s position argue that religious organisations should refrain from influencing appointments to secular institutions, warning that such interventions risk eroding confidence in democratic processes and exacerbating social divisions.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria and allied groups, including the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), have maintained their position, urging President Tinubu to reconsider Professor Amupitan’s appointment. They argue that the legal brief in question, which referenced allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria, undermines the chairman’s impartiality and could compromise the integrity of future elections if left unaddressed. Critics outside these groups, however, contend that the controversy reflects an attempt to introduce religious criteria into the assessment of a constitutionally mandated public appointment.
The dispute over Amupitan’s tenure illustrates the complex interplay between religion, politics and governance in Nigeria, where faith identities often shape public debate. It also highlights the delicate balance required to uphold the constitutional principles of secularism and equality in a deeply diverse society, particularly as institutions prepare to oversee one of the most consequential elections in the nation’s recent history.
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