CAN Flays Shari’ah Council’s Call to Remove Amupitan

CAN Flays Shari’ah Council’s Call to Remove Amupitan

Northern Christian Association of Nigeroa has rejected the Supreme Council for Shari’ah’s demand to remove INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan.

The council sought his dismissal over a legal brief regarding the persecution of Christians.

Reverend Joseph John Hayab and Bishop Mohammed Naga questioned the motives behind the call. They suggested that political interests are using a religious platform to attack the INEC boss.

CAN described the demand as a dangerous attempt to politicize religion and undermine national institutions.

They argued that Amupitan’s religious concerns do not disqualify him from public service.

The association noted that many past Muslim officials had strong religious backgrounds but were never scrutinized this way. They urged for a focus on competence rather than sectarian sentiments.

Hayab warned that this controversy highlights persistent religious discrimination in high-level appointments. He noted that previous INEC chairmen were Northern Muslims and rejected the idea that only one faith can lead the agency.

Challenging the agitators, Hayab stated: “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.”

The body praised President Tinubu for promoting inclusivity by appointing a Christian to the role. They compared this to former President Jonathan’s decision to keep a Northern Muslim as INEC head.

Christian leaders urged the Shari’ah Council to reveal the sponsors of this campaign. They told Professor Amupitan to ignore the distractions and focus on conducting credible elections.

Finally, CAN warned of a coordinated agenda ahead of the 2027 elections. They cautioned that prioritizing religious identity over national cohesion threatens to marginalize Christians and divide the country.