₦airaland Forum

The Christian Media Forum has expressed concern over a recent call by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria demanding the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, on the basis of his religious faith.

The forum described the call as baseless, unfortunate and highly divisive, stating that such a demand undermines Nigeria’s constitutional principles of fairness, inclusion and religious freedom.

A statement jointly signed by the National President of the Christian Media Forum, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, and the National Secretary, Andrew Ibrahim Mshelia, said it believes that Nigeria’s democracy thrives when public office holders are assessed on the basis of competence, integrity and performance, rather than religious or ethnic affiliations.

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah was reported to have stated that Muslims across the country would not recognise or legitimise any election conducted under the leadership of an INEC Chairman whose integrity is allegedly in question.

The forum strongly disagreed with this position, warning that such statements are capable of eroding public confidence in democratic institutions and inflaming religious sentiments.

It noted that the call for the removal of the INEC Chairman reportedly came from the President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah, Sheikh Bashir Umar, during the Council’s 2026 Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly held in Abuja on Tuesday.

The forum said it finds the timing and context of the statement not only insensitive but ⁷also capable of generating unnecessary tension and chaos across the country.

According to the forum, Nigeria is already grappling with serious challenges, including insecurity, economic hardship and social instability, which require collective responsibility rather than divisive rhetoric.

The forum cautioned that statements capable of promoting religious intolerance should be avoided by respected religious bodies, especially those with wide followership and influence.

It stressed, “No individual or group should attempt to heat up the polity at a time when national unity and peace are urgently needed.
“It is too early and inappropriate for any religious organisation to begin making statements that could undermine the credibility of future electoral processes.”

The forum urged the Supreme Council for Shari’ah to channel the same energy and influence towards supporting the Federal Government in addressing insecurity and socio-economic challenges bedevilling the nation, the northern part in particular. It stressed its belief that religious leaders have a responsibility to promote peace, tolerance and national cohesion rather than actions that may deepen divisions.

The forum called on well-meaning Nigerians to disregard any calls or statements capable of inciting religious intolerance or threatening peaceful coexistence.

It reaffirmed its confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission as a constitutional body mandated to conduct free, fair and credible elections, and urged the leadership of INEC to remain focused on its core mandate without distraction or undue pressure from sectional interests.

The forum stated that Nigeria belongs to all citizens, irrespective of faith, and that leadership positions should never be politicised or weaponised along religious lines. It therefore called on all religious and civic leaders to exercise restraint, uphold national unity, and work collectively towards a peaceful, stable and democratic Nigeria.

Source: https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/29/christian-media-forum-condemns-shariah-councils-calls-for-inec-chairmans-sack

Which one is Christian counsel. They better mind their business and talk about freeing the 170 worshipers in Kaduna forest.

You will not see APC data boys make him on this forum. Helinues and Yarimo are hiding under their bed .

Christians are confused set of human being Walahi


Who is Joash Amupitan working for

CAN must be aggressive, it's a shame it took Trump to come stand for Christians in Nigeria.

Yarimo better start protesting because the north seem dissatisfied

Macphenson:
You will not see APC data boys make him on this forum. Helinues and Yarimo are hiding under their bed .

They are busy masturbating on Peter Obi matter.

Islamic terrorist organizations destroying the image of this country

Muslims love to see Christians suffer and having control of everything

BAILMONEY:
Christians are confused set of human being Walahi


Who is Joash Amupitan working for

Muslims are bunch of hypocrites,will never say anything against theirselves ,even when they know he or she is commiting haram but will be quick to call out a christian,you should face ur sharia in pieces.

How has Sharia Council helped improve Northern GDP? What blessings has the organization been to the North with their Sharia? If anything Sharia gave birth to Boko Haram and Banditry in the North and the still have mouth to make demands. Why can't they use their Sharia law to handle Bandits?

Macphenson:
You will not see APC data boys make him on this forum. Helinues and Yarimo are hiding under their bed .

The second data boy na the highest ozuor for nairaland.

They need to lock these clerics up. All of them. Still using religion to divide us. They are all fanatics whether it's Muslims or Christians. They all hide under the guise of religion for power. Funnily, the traditional worshipers are not as intolerant as Muslims and Christians in this country. Maybe it tells you about who you are as a people and not what you want to be in the name of religion and in the absence of your original indigenous culture and traditions as a people.

BAILMONEY:
Christians are confused set of human being Walahi


Who is Joash Amupitan working for

Of course, Muslim - Muslim ticket in advance......

These are the kind of topics they use to remove people's mind from their ideal corrupt practices,
The problem I have with them is welfare and security

adenigga:
Source: https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/29/christian-media-forum-condemns-shariah-councils-calls-for-inec-chairmans-sack

great response from them.

All these useless religious provocateur bodies always dividing the people to favor their political patrons.

CAN, JNI, MURIC, Shari'ah Council....all should either be abolished or registered as political parties.

Seun Osewa, please, suspend the Christian Media Forum for daring to have a contrary point of view to that of the Supreme Council for Sharia.

You even had to bring their viewpoints to the fp?

Chai!

Na for my body you dey get power!



@hotseat

This is 2026 the world is moving fast but here what Nigeria Islamic heads are arguing

This is the only way to go, when the muslim council makes stupid demands, the Christian council should make stupid demands too, make we all dey craze dey go. Nobody has the monopoly of being stupid

favour32:
The second data boy na the highest ozuor for nairaland.

Inside the two of them person no know who be the Ozuorest of the Ozuors..

BetterScottish:
Inside the two of them person no know who be the Ozuorest of the Ozuors..

Both na ozuors!
But second one is more ozuor than the first.

BAILMONEY:
Christians are confused set of human being Walahi


Who is Joash Amupitan working for

or that you're confuse abi cos you seem not understand. 🤔☹️😏

If he is a Muslim they should not sack him, but they can sack him just because he is a Christian.
Imagine.

Most Northeners believe Tunibu is Christian pretending as Muslim. The felt scammed by is pretence.

They know the fraud they normally perpetrate in Nasarawa and Kogi during election is about to come to an end. God be with you Prof!

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah was reported to have stated that Muslims across the country would not recognise or legitimise any election conducted under the leadership of an INEC Chairman whose integrity is allegedly in question.

Who are they,are they constituted court of law?. Muslim only does not own this country.

The Chairman visited the Asagba in Asaba today. Same day Nna Agu was visited by a Catholic delegation from the Pope. I pray the elections are free, fair and credible up to international standards.

funshint:
They know the fraud they normally perpetrate in Nasarawa and Kogi during election is about to come to an end. God be with you Prof!

Especially Nassarawa, such a shame. I'm not aware of that of Kogi.

Unserious xtians. This thread should have reached page 5 but No. The Peaceful, docile complacent Christian will rather bury head in shoulder like ostrich, snd pretend that nothing megaa