INEC Chairman Removal: He is Going No Where – CAN, others reject Shari’ah council’s call for INEC chair’s removal

The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory has faulted the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria over its call for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, warning against what it described as the politicisation of religion.

Northern CAN described the demand as dangerous, unjustified and capable of undermining public confidence in a critical national institution, insisting that competence and integrity—not religious affiliation—should remain the basis for assessing public office holders.

The SCSN had called for the immediate removal and prosecution of Amupitan, accusing him of compromised integrity over a legal brief in which he reportedly acknowledged claims of persecution and genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

The council warned that Amupitan’s continued stay in office posed “a serious threat” to the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process and claimed that Muslims would not recognise or legitimise any election conducted under his leadership, alleging that his integrity “is under a cloud.”

The SCSN President, Sheikh Bashir Umar, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during the council’s 2026 Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly.

On Thursday, the Muslim Rights Concern backed the SCSN, renewing calls for Amupitan’s removal.

In a statement issued by its Kano State Chairman, Mallam Hassan Indabawa, MURIC said it was fully aligning with the Shari’ah Council’s position.

“The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria warned that Muslims nationwide will not recognise or accept the legitimacy of any elections conducted under the leadership of Professor Joash Amupitan, the INEC chairman. The Muslim Rights Concern hereby aligns itself with the SCSN. It is a noble, consistent, justifiable and objective position,” the statement read.

Indabawa recalled that MURIC had earlier called for Amupitan’s removal in two separate statements in November 2025, citing what it described as “hate-filled” views expressed in a 2020 legal brief.

MURIC also referenced concerns earlier raised by other groups, including the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, alleging a potential conflict of interest “because Amupitan was part of the legal team for the ruling party during the 2023 presidential election petition.”

According to MURIC, Amupitan’s 80-page document titled “Legal Brief: Genocide in Nigeria: The Implications for the International Community” argued that attacks by Boko Haram insurgents and armed herders amounted to a “coordinated anti-Christian campaign,” a position it said contradicted the Federal Government’s consistent rejection of genocide allegations against Christians.

The group warned that retaining Amupitan as INEC chairman could undermine confidence in the 2027 general elections.

“Our position is that the demand for Amupitan’s immediate removal, resignation or prosecution is to safeguard the credibility of the 2027 general elections. Allowing him to superintend Nigeria’s electoral processes will erode credibility and legitimacy, as his integrity is already compromised,” MURIC said, alleging partisanship and bias against Muslims.

Northern disagrees

However, Northern CAN, in a statement issued in Kaduna and jointly signed by its Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, and Secretary General, Bishop Mohammed Naga, questioned the motive behind the sustained campaign against the INEC chairman.

The association asked who was sponsoring the campaign and why such interests were allegedly hiding under a religious platform.

Hayab said Amupitan, like every Nigerian, had a constitutional right to freedom of religion, stressing that expressing concern over challenges faced by one’s faith did not amount to bias or disqualification from public office.

“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,” the statement read.

He noted that several Muslims had served in sensitive government positions despite controversial religious antecedents without facing similar scrutiny, urging Nigerians to prioritise competence over sectarian sentiment.

Northern CAN warned that the controversy reinforced long-standing concerns about religious discrimination against Christians, particularly in appointments to sensitive national offices.

It recalled that the two immediate past INEC chairmen were Muslims from northern Nigeria and cautioned against narratives suggesting that only adherents of a particular religion were qualified to lead the electoral body.

“Are they saying 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,” Hayab said.

The association commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing a Christian as INEC chairman despite being a Muslim, describing the move as statesmanlike and inclusive.

It likened the decision to that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who retained a northern Muslim as INEC chairman despite intense pressure.

Northern CAN urged the Shari’ah Council to openly identify any individual or group behind the campaign, warning against the use of religious platforms as “cheap cover” to intimidate public officials.

It also advised the INEC chairman to remain focused on his constitutional responsibility of conducting free, fair and credible elections.

The group further expressed concern over what it described as emerging signs of a coordinated political agenda ahead of the 2027 elections, citing recent comments by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, on the implications of a non-Muslim–Muslim ticket for the APC.

According to Northern CAN, such comments, combined with sustained attacks on a Christian INEC chairman, raised questions about attempts to undermine Christian participation and confidence in Nigeria’s political process.

It warned that framing politics strictly along religious lines could deepen divisions and threaten national unity.

Similarly, the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Christian Media Forum condemned the call for Amupitan’s removal.

In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Jacob Dickson, and National Secretary, Andrew Mshelia, the CMF described the demand as baseless, divisive and dangerous to national unity, warning that it could erode public confidence in democratic institutions and inflame religious tensions.

The forum stressed that democracy could only thrive when public officials were assessed on competence, integrity and performance rather than religious affiliation, urging religious bodies to exercise restraint and promote peace and national cohesion.

YOWICAN, in a statement by its Chairman for the northern states and Abuja, Evangelist Dedan Clifford, described the call as “unwarranted and politically motivated.”

Speaking in Kaduna, Clifford said the SCSN, not being a political party, had no constitutional basis to demand the removal of the INEC chairman.

“What they are simply suggesting is that a Christian cannot hold that position. But the position is based on merit, and Prof. Amupitan deserves it,” he said.

He noted that for over 15 years, INEC chairmen—including Professors Attahiru Jega and Mahmood Yakubu—had been Muslims without objections from Christians.

Clifford suggested the council’s actions might be influenced by external interests and warned that Christian youths would resist any attempt to undermine fairness in the country’s democratic process.

He also praised President Tinubu for striving for religious balance in appointments and urged the INEC chairman to remain calm and focused on his constitutional responsibilities.