Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has condemned in strong terms, the demand by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) for the sack Professor Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The SCSN had at its conference in Abuja demanded the immediate removal and prosecution of Prof. Amupitan, who it accused of compromised integrity over a legal brief in which he reportedly acknowledged claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria long before his appointment as INEC Chairman.
But, in a swift reaction, CAN in the 19 Northern States and the FCT in a statement by its chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, and Secretary General, Bishop Mohammed Naga, warned that framing political survival strictly around religious identity, rather than competence and national cohesion, could marginalise Christians, deepen divisions, and threaten Nigeria’s fragile unity.
Northern CAN particularly questioned the motive behind the call by SCSN, stressing that those sponsoring the call for the sack of the INEC chairman are hiding under the platform of a religious body.
The Northern Christian leaders described the demand as a dangerous attempt to politicise religion and undermine a national institution, and emphasised that Prof. Amupitan has a constitutional right to freedom of religion.
The Northern CAN particularly expressed concern that challenges faced by one’s faith does not amount in any way to bias or disqualification from public service, stressing that many Muslims who served in top government positions in the past had controversial religious histories, but faced no similar scrutiny.
CAN therefore urged national actors to prioritise competence and national interest over sectarian considerations, saying that the controversy reflects persistent religious discrimination against Christians in Nigeria, particularly in appointments to sensitive offices.
The Northern Christian leaders noted the two immediate past INEC chairmen were Muslims from northern Nigeria, thus cautioned against narratives suggesting that only adherents of a particular religion are qualified to lead the electoral umpire.
The Northern CAN described the appointment of Prof. Amupitan, a Christian northerner by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as INEC Chairman as a conscious effort to promote national unity and inclusivity.
It tasked Prof. Amupitan to focus on his constitutional duty to conduct free, fair, and credible elections, adding that he should concentrate on doing the right thing for Nigerians and not behave like others who openly manipulated elections in the past and now seek to remain relevant through religious blackmail.
The Northern CAN while referencing recent comments by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, specifically expressed concerns over what it described as a coordinated political agenda ahead of the 2027 general election.
