Rev. Dr. Joseph John Hayab, Chairman of Northern CAN
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has firmly rejected the call by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan.
The Shari’ah Council had earlier demanded the immediate removal and prosecution of the INEC chairman, accusing him of compromised integrity following a legal brief in which he reportedly acknowledged concerns over the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
In a press statement issued on Thursday and jointly signed by the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, and its Secretary General, Bishop Mohammed Naga, the association questioned the motive behind the demand, asking who was sponsoring the call and why such interests were hiding under a religious platform.
Northern CAN described the call as a dangerous attempt to politicise religion and undermine a key national institution, stressing that Professor Amupitan has a constitutional right to freedom of religion.
According to the statement, expressing concern over challenges faced by one’s faith does not amount to bias or constitute grounds for disqualification from public service.
The association noted that several Muslims who had previously held sensitive national offices were known for strong religious positions, yet were never subjected to similar scrutiny, urging Nigerians to focus on competence, integrity and national interest rather than religious identity.
Northern CAN further warned that the controversy reinforces long-standing concerns over religious discrimination against Christians, particularly in appointments to sensitive national positions.
It recalled that the two immediate past INEC chairmen were Muslims from Northern Nigeria and cautioned against narratives suggesting that leadership of the electoral body should be restricted to adherents of a particular religion.
“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 openly. Otherwise, this ploy has failed,” the statement said.
“Are they suggesting that only Muslims should serve as INEC chairman? The critical question Nigerians should ask is whether Professor Amupitan is competent. His faith should not be the issue,” it added.
The association commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as an inclusive decision to appoint a Christian as INEC chairman despite being a Muslim, noting that the move reflected statesmanship and national unity.
Northern CAN likened the decision to the approach of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who retained a Northern Muslim as INEC chairman in the interest of stability and continuity.
The Christian body advised the Shari’ah Council to openly identify any individual or group behind the campaign against the INEC chairman, insisting that religious platforms should not be used as a “cheap cover” for political interests or intimidation of public officials.
It also urged Professor Amupitan not to be distracted by the controversy but to remain focused on his constitutional responsibility of conducting free, fair and credible elections.
“He should concentrate on doing the right thing for Nigerians and avoid the path of those who openly manipulated elections in the past and now seek relevance through religious blackmail,” the statement said.
Northern CAN further expressed concern over what it described as emerging signals of a coordinated political agenda ahead of the 2027 general election.
The association cited recent comments by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, who reportedly warned that the All Progressives Congress (APC) risks electoral defeat if it drops a Northern Muslim-Muslim ticket for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
According to CAN, such statements, combined with sustained attacks on a Christian INEC chairman, raise serious questions about a deliberate attempt to undermine Christian participation and confidence in Nigeria’s political process.
The association warned that framing national political survival strictly around religious identity, rather than competence, equity and national cohesion, could deepen divisions and threaten Nigeria’s fragile unity.
Northern CAN stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not be held hostage to religious calculations, adding that any attempt to marginalise citizens on the basis of faith would undermine democratic stability and national cohesion.
