The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory has slammed a Muslim group for threatening to reject any election conducted by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, warning against politicising religion.
The threat came from the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), which had stated that Muslims across the country would not recognise or legitimise any election conducted under the leadership of an INEC chairman whose continued stay in office threatens the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process.
In response, CAN issued a statement on Thursday, jointly signed by Rev. Joseph John Hayab, Chairman of Northern CAN, and Bishop Mohammed Naga, Secretary-General, describing the move as an attempt to use religion to undermine a key national institution. The Christian body questioned who was behind the campaign and why such pressure was being pushed through a religious platform.
CAN warned that dragging faith into the leadership of INEC could inflame sectarian tensions and stressed that Professor Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has a constitutional right to freedom of religion. Expressing concern about challenges faced by one’s faith does not disqualify anyone from public office, the association said.
The statement also recalled that Muslims have previously held sensitive national positions while publicly associated with religious causes, without facing similar threats, urging Nigerians to focus on competence, integrity, and national interest, rather than religious identity.
CAN commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a Christian as INEC chairman, calling it a demonstration of inclusivity and national unity. The group further cautioned that attempts to narrow political leadership to a particular faith or region could deepen divisions and undermine national cohesion, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The association advised Professor Amupitan to remain focused on his mandate to conduct free, fair, and credible elections and not be distracted by what it described as politically motivated pressure from religious platforms.
“Anyone hiding under the guise of a religious council to demand the removal of the INEC chairman for political or sectarian reasons should come out openly,” the statement concluded.
