The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Northern States has urged the Shari’ah Council to publicly disclose the identities of those driving the campaign against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that religious bodies must not be exploited as a “cheap cover” for political agendas or used to pressure public office holders.
Northern CAN firmly opposed the recent call by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) demanding the removal of INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.
Earlier in the week, the Shari’ah Council had called for Amupitan’s immediate removal and prosecution, alleging that his integrity had been compromised following a legal brief in which he reportedly acknowledged claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria.
Responding to the controversy, Northern CAN, in a statement released on Thursday, the 29th of January, 2026, and jointly signed by its Chairman, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, and Secretary General, Bishop Mohammed Naga, questioned the underlying motive behind the demand. The association asked who was financing and coordinating the pressure campaign, insisting that such interests should not be concealed under the banner of religion.
The Christian body described the call for Amupitan’s removal as a reckless attempt to inject religion into partisan politics and weaken a vital democratic institution. It emphasized that the INEC chairman is constitutionally entitled to freedom of religion and expression.
According to the association, raising concerns about challenges facing one’s faith does not constitute partisanship nor does it automatically disqualify an individual from holding public office.
The statement further noted that several Muslims who previously occupied sensitive government positions had controversial religious histories but were never subjected to similar campaigns, urging Nigerians to focus on competence, integrity and national interest rather than religious identity.
Northern CAN also warned that the controversy reinforces long-standing concerns about religious discrimination against Christians, particularly in appointments to strategic national offices. It recalled that the two immediate past INEC chairmen were Muslims from Northern Nigeria and cautioned against narratives that imply leadership of the electoral body should be reserved for adherents of a particular faith.
According to CAN, “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 association praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as a deliberate effort to foster national unity by appointing a Christian as INEC chairman despite being a Muslim. It said the move reflected statesmanship and inclusiveness, drawing parallels with the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who retained a Northern Muslim as INEC chairman in spite of political pressure.
However, Northern CAN advised the INEC chairman not to allow the controversy distract him from his constitutional responsibilities, urging him to remain focused on delivering free, fair and credible elections.
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CAN advised, “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 association further expressed concern over what it described as emerging indicators of a coordinated political agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It referenced recent remarks by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, who warned that the All Progressives Congress (APC) could face electoral defeat if it abandons a Northern Muslim-Muslim ticket for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
According to Northern CAN, such statements, when considered alongside persistent attacks on a Christian INEC chairman, raise serious questions about whether there is a deliberate strategy to weaken Christian confidence and participation in Nigeria’s political process.
The Christian body cautioned that framing political survival solely around religious identity, rather than competence, fairness and national cohesion, suggests that plans may already be underway to marginalise Christians ahead of the 2027 elections.
Northern CAN concluded by stressing that Nigeria’s democracy must not be subjected to religious bargaining, warning that any attempt to restrict political leadership to one faith or region would deepen national divisions and threaten the country’s fragile unity.