By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN ,of the 19 Northern states ,and the Federal Capital Territory FCT Abuja has vehemently rejected calls for the sack of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC Prof Joash Amupitan .
The is as the umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria condemned attempts to unduly politicize ,and undermine, a key national Institution like the INEC hiding under the cloak of religion.
CAN’s position is coming against the backdrop of the recent demand by Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria for the authorities to relieve Prof Amupitan of his position as INEC boss citing his alleged comprised stance, particularly on the controversial issue of alleged Christian genocide in the country as part of the reason.
Speaking at the occasion of the 2026 edition of the annual pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly of the Council held in Abuja on Wednesday ,28, 2026 ,the President of the Council, Sheikh Bashir Aliyu Umar warned that the Muslim Community in the country will not accept the outcome of any elections conducted by INEC under Amupitan .
According to Sheikh Umar, allegations against Professor Amupitan regarding his controversial antecedents which includes claims of treason and divisive propaganda in the past have combined to erode public trust and confidence in his ability to conduct free and fair elections as INEC Chairman.
” No election conducted under a cloud of compromised integrity can be recognized as credible” Sheikh Umar warned .
While condemning terrorism in all its ramifications ,Umar rejected claims suggesting Christian genocide in Nigeria..
But reacting to the position of the Shariah Council ,the Northern CAN, in a statement on Thursday January, 29 2026 jointly issued by Rev Joseph John Hayab and Bishop Mohammed Naga , Chairman and Secretary, respectively, questioned the actual motives behind the calls for the sack of the INEC boss.
The Christian body expressed serious concern that some people could ohide under the cover of religion to be pursuing selfish, divisive and narrow interests .
CAN warned that using religion as a basis for the assessment of the integrity and capabilities of office holders , could inflame tempers and precipitate sectarian and ethno-religous crises of a monumental proportion.
According to CAN ,the INEC ichairman, just like any other law-abiding citizens of the country, has the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of religion.
The Christian body emphasized that expressing concerns about the challenges being faced by one’s faith in a diverse religious environment does not, in any way, disqualify the person from holding public office, and qualifies him/her as being biased.
This is as the CAN maintained that, several Muslim faithful had occupied, and are still occupying sensitive national positions, despite their well documented controversial pasts.
While urging well meaning Nigerians to ignore the unnecessary dust being raised against the person of the INEC chairman, the Northern CAN regretted that such unfounded attacks on Prof Amupitan underscore the stark reality of untold discrimination against Christians in the North when it comes to appointments at the Federal level .
The association further expressed concern that the orchestrated campaign to remove Professor Amupitan, a Northern christian, is coming despite the fact two Northern Muslims had presided over the INEC back-to-back before Prof Amupitan
CAN, therefore, cautioned against utterances or actions that may give the impression that the leadership of the country’s electoral umpire should be the exclusive preserve of adherents of a particular religion.
The body, also, strongly condemned the recent comments attributed to the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa, to the effect that the All Progressive Congress, APC, may be working a tight rope should it alter the present Muslim-Muslim ticket come 2027 general elections.
CAN noted that such misleading narratives tend to give the impression that there are concerted efforts to weaken Northern Christian trust and participation in the political process of the country.
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