₦airaland Forum

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, describing the demand as an attempt to politicise religion and undermine a key national institution.

The Shari’ah Council had earlier called for the immediate removal and prosecution of the INEC chairman, citing concerns over a legal brief in which he reportedly acknowledged claims relating to persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Reacting in a 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 Christian body questioned the motive behind the demand, asking who was sponsoring the call and why such interests were being pursued under the platform of a religious organisation.

Northern CAN cautioned that using religion as a basis for questioning the integrity of public office holders was dangerous and capable of inflaming sectarian tensions.

According to the statement, Professor Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has a constitutional right to freedom of religion, and expressing concern about challenges faced by one’s faith does not automatically amount to bias or disqualification from public service.

The association noted that several Muslims had previously occupied sensitive national positions despite being publicly associated with religious causes, without facing similar scrutiny, and urged Nigerians to focus on competence, integrity and national interest rather than religious affiliation.

Northern CAN further expressed concern that the controversy reinforces longstanding complaints of 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 warned against narratives suggesting that leadership of the electoral body should be restricted to adherents of a particular religion.

“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 said, adding that competence, not faith, should remain the benchmark for public office.

The Christian body commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a Christian as INEC chairman, describing the decision as a demonstration of inclusivity and national unity. It also referenced the precedent set by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who retained a northern Muslim as INEC chairman despite political pressure at the time.

Northern CAN advised the Shari’ah Council to clearly identify any individual or group behind the campaign against the INEC chairman, warning that religious platforms should not be used as cover for political interests or to intimidate public officials.

The association also urged Professor Amupitan not to be distracted by the controversy, but to remain focused on his constitutional mandate to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/01/northern-can-rejects-calls-for-removal-of-inec-chairman-warns-against-politicising-religion/amp/

The electorates are laser focused on the goal: voting out Tinubu from office in 2027.

Nigerians have emptied their bank accounts to pay for the incompetence since 2023, and many have paid with their lives due to senseless unchecked insecurity.

Na waa for these Muslims folks... When Muslim Inec boss was in charge, no Christian cried wolf... But now the want to turn everything into religion... And na them still support Muslim+Muslim ticket.

Kmt.

So many useless associations and organizations in this country.

Both the president and his vice are Muslim who are even contesting the next election so what's their fear?

tinubu the division president.

Man create division as an hobby.

Cross fire. Let everyone be mad

Turning into religion discord. Everything from that area is always very volatile. It's the Islamic fundamentalist that started it and definitely expecting CAN to reply them in this tone. Nigeria has always been divided on religion ground and the causative animals are the Muslim fundamentalist....

Smh.can you just imagine

The current loudmouths in the North are completely intolerant of Christians holding any position of authority in the country. Yet they beg that we should not break up, yet they won't stop killing Christians.

I'm just imagine how the whole world would be 80% peaceful without Muslim....🤔

The same INEC chairman for whom handle-mops have abused Tinubu since the day Tinubu appointed took is now a sacred cow. Mention his removal and you’re cancelled.

This holiness, however, has an expiry date. The instant Tinubu’s re-election is announced, they will exhume the same chairman and abuse him back to prehistory. Once it dawns on them that their agulu messiah is being thoroughly thrashed, as is inevitable, the familiar drama will unfold. Stolen manhood becomes their household songs.

This life be like dice walahi.

Northern CAN were against anything APC in 2023 but now they are trying to defend an INEC chairman appointed by APC government.

I believe you don't mean to write what you just wrote. Maybe you should read the news again, clearly and digest it before making your contribution.....by your name, you should be more sensible than what you just wrote bro......

SAMBARRY:
What's going on in CAN.these people seem to be moving mad and acting suspicious like they've started compromising. I don't trust them again

These people are beginning to act like brown envelopes have exchanged hands because they will preach about righteousness, submission to God etc but their ways look questionable

SAMBARRY:
Smh.can you just imagine

u don't trust them again because d are saying d truth. U see ur life?

Tenses:
tinubu the division president.

Man create division as an hobby.

You mean he caused the divide between Northern Christians and Northern Muslims?

Division that is almost as old as Nigeria itself.

Na the same nonsense we dey always bring to National issues..

Religion!!!

We are so religious that every venue of religion gatherings, from NASFAT to RCCG, to WINNERS to AWARUDEEN to whatever are always jam-packed with Nigerians..


So, who exactly dey do bad things for this country

Abeg, remove religion from our institution jare!

Sharia Council and CAN should gerrout!

This Shariah council is made up of clowns 🤡. Instead of them to say they want their own country they are busy looking for new INEC chairman 🤡🤡

Which one be northern CAN again..una don divide CAN

LegendHero:
You mean he caused the divide between Northern Christians and Northern Muslims?

Division that is almost as old as Nigeria itself.

Oga give me a link where there's a direct confrontation between CAN and its Muslim counterpart prior 2022 when tinubu showed interest for the presidency. I dey wait.

Kriely:
Kmt.

So many useless associations and organizations in this country.

Especially the Isleamic terorist organizations. They are very useless

Northern muslims should boycott the 2027 elections

LegendHero:
This life be like dice walahi.

Northern CAN were against anything APC in 2023 but now they are trying to defend an INEC chairman appointed by APC government.

A very interesting irony.

But they have never called for the removal of Boko Haram criminals and sympatizers in and out of govt. How can your religious followers be doing bad things and you say to don't know anything about it. Or are they not your foot soldiers ?

Let the battle begins .... This moozlem don't know that Nigeria belongs to everybody.

The inec chairman only expressed his own opinion in that law report which he is constitutionally entitled to i don't understand how his opinion is now connected to his current inec job?

Religion gonna slipt this nation

Abeg let Trump come and share this country make everybody just go their way