Adesakin Adefemi
The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN) has described as “needless” the recent demand for the resignation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Josiah Amupitan, warning that threats of a religious‑based election boycott could inflame tensions and erode public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
The group’s statement comes after the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) called for Amupitan’s removal and threatened that Muslims would not recognise any election he oversees.
In a press release signed by CSMN’s Governing Council Chairman, Sunday Oibe, and Chief Executive Officer, Bosun Emmanuel, the group stressed that the appointment of an INEC chair is a constitutional prerogative of the President, subject to National Assembly confirmation, and should not be subjected to religious lobbying or pressure. “Appointments into national institutions must be guided by the Constitution and due process, not by religious sentiment, lobbying or threats,” the statement read.
The CSMN recalled historical precedents to illustrate that religious identity has not previously dictated electoral appointments. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, appointed Muslim Professor Attahiru Jega as INEC chair, while former President Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim, appointed another Muslim, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, without any religious backlash. The group suggested that current objections to Amupitan’s appointment under President Bola Tinubu may be driven more by identity politics than by merit.
The controversy surrounding Amupitan stems from a legal opinion he expressed as a private practitioner concerning reports of killings of Christians in parts of Nigeria. CSMN argued that such a professional opinion should not be weaponised to question his neutrality, describing the backlash as “trivial” and unfounded.
Beyond the immediate dispute, the CSMN called for a broader national dialogue on constitutional reform, especially regarding the status of Shari’ah law. While Shari’ah personal law is recognised by the Constitution, the group noted that Shari’ah criminal law lacks clear constitutional backing and has contributed to regional tensions.
Quoting legal scholars such as Professor Ben Nwabueze and Justice Mohammed Bello, the CSMN maintained that certain aspects of Shari’ah criminal law conflict with constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion.
The group urged religious leaders to channel their influence toward constructive engagement and legal reform rather than actions that could deepen sectarian divisions. “Attempts to deepen religious imbalance when the country should be seeking healing and fairness will only drag it deeper into mutual suspicion and sectarian violence,” the statement warned.
Political analysts say the CSMN’s intervention highlights growing anxiety over the politicisation of religious identity in Nigeria’s electoral process. They note that any perception of bias in INEC’s leadership could undermine voter turnout and trust, especially in a country with a history of contentious elections.
Stakeholders from civil society and inter‑faith organisations have echoed the call for calm, urging all parties to respect constitutional procedures and to resolve grievances through dialogue rather than threats. They stress that maintaining a neutral, credible electoral body is essential for the legitimacy of Nigeria’s democracy.
As the debate continues, observers will be watching how President Tinubu’s administration and the National Assembly respond to the calls for Amupitan’s removal, and whether they will uphold constitutional norms while addressing legitimate concerns about inclusivity and fairness in Nigeria’s electoral management.
