CAN rejects Shari’ah Council’s call for removal of INEC chairman Amupitan

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has condemned the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) over its demand for the removal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.

The Shari’ah Council had earlier called for Amupitan’s immediate removal and prosecution, citing concerns over a legal brief in which he reportedly acknowledged claims of persecution amounting to genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

In a statement released on Thursday, Northern CAN leaders, including Reverend Joseph John Hayab and Bishop Mohammed Naga, described the call as a politically motivated attempt to exploit religion. They questioned who was sponsoring the demand and why it was being pushed under the cover of a religious body.

The association stressed that Amupitan, as a Nigerian citizen, has the constitutional right to freedom of religion, and expressing concern over challenges faced by Christians does not amount to bias or disqualification from public service. They noted that many Muslims in past government positions had similarly controversial religious backgrounds without facing such scrutiny.

Northern CAN also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a Christian as INEC chairman, calling the decision a demonstration of inclusivity and national unity. The association compared this to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, which appointed a northern Muslim as INEC chairman despite opposition.

“Anyone hiding under the guise of the Shari’ah Council to demand the removal of the INEC chairman over political or sectarian interests should come out boldly. Otherwise, the ploy has died naturally. Are they saying that no other religion should serve as INEC chairman except Muslims?

“The most important question Nigerians should ask is whether Professor Amupitan is competent or not. That should be the focus, not his faith,” the statement read in part.

Highlighting emerging political tensions ahead of the 2027 general election, Northern CAN raised concerns over attempts to frame political survival around religious identity rather than competence and national cohesion. They warned that restricting leadership to a single faith or region would deepen divisions and threaten Nigeria’s fragile unity.