The Christian Association of Nigeria with other religious bodies engage with a deep interfaith dispute after the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) called for the removal and prosecution of Professor Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The controversy, arising from remarks by a prominent religious authority, has fuelled national debate on the role of religion in public office and the integrity of electoral leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On Wednesday in Abuja, Sheikh Bashir Umar, President of the SCSN, urged the immediate dismissal of Prof. Amupitan, accusing him of compromised integrity. The council’s position centres on a 2020 legal brief reportedly authored by Amupitan in which he is said to have publicly acknowledged allegations of Christian persecution and genocide in Nigeria.
Thus, addressing delegates at the council’s 2026 Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly, Sheikh Umar warned that Amupitan’s stay in office “poses a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process.” He went further, claiming that Muslims nationwide would not recognise or legitimise any election conducted under his leadership if he remains INEC chairman.
The council also labelled the brief as evidence of bias, asserting that the INEC chair’s continued stewardship could undermine confidence in electoral processes.
Shortly after, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) backed the Shari’ah Council’s stance. In a statement by its Kano State Chairman, Mallam Hassan Indabawa, the group described its alignment with the call as “noble, consistent, justifiable and objective.”
Reacting swiftly, CAN in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory condemned the SCSN’s call as a dangerous politicisation of religion that threatens the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
In a statement jointly signed by Northern CAN Chairman Rev. Joseph John Hayab and Secretary-General Bishop Mohammed Naga, the group questioned the motive behind the demand, asking: “Who is sponsoring this campaign, and why hide behind a religious platform?”
Northern CAN stressed that Amupitan’s constitutional right to freedom of religion should not be conflated with bias or disqualification from public office, and warned against framing public appointments along sectarian lines. Highlighting precedent, they noted that the two immediate past INEC chairmen were Muslims from northern Nigeria and faced no comparable objections to their appointments.
The group also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a Christian to head INEC, framing the decision as inclusive and conducive to national unity.
Other Christian organisations include Christian Media Forum (CMF) and National Christian Alliance for Good Governance in Nigeria.
