Calls for INEC Chair’s Resignation Unnecessary, Threatens Democratic Stability — CSMN

 

The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN) has dismissed as unnecessary the call for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, warning that threats of election boycott along religious lines could inflame tensions and weaken public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.

The group was reacting to remarks credited to the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, which urged the INEC chairman to step down and declared that Muslims would neither recognise nor legitimise elections conducted under his leadership.

The position of the Shari’ah council was reportedly made public by its President, Sheikh Bashir Umar, during the Council’s 2026 Annual Pre-Ramadan Lecture and General Assembly held in Abuja.

But in a statement issued on Wednesday and jointly signed by its Governing Council Chairman, Sunday Oibe, and Chief Executive Officer, Bosun Emmanuel, CSMN maintained that the appointment of the INEC chairman is strictly a constitutional matter involving the President and the National Assembly.

The group cautioned religious organisations against making pronouncements capable of aggravating Nigeria’s already fragile political and security environment.

According to the statement, appointments into key national institutions must be guided by constitutional provisions and due process rather than religious sentiments, pressure or threats.

“Appointments into national institutions must be guided by the Constitution and due process, not by religious sentiment, lobbying or threats,” the group stated.

Drawing from past precedents, CSMN noted that former President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, appointed Prof. Attahiru Jega, a Muslim, as INEC chairman without triggering religious opposition, while ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim, also appointed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, a fellow Muslim, without boycott threats.

It argued that the resistance to Amupitan’s appointment under President Bola Tinubu raises concerns about whether the objections are driven more by identity considerations than by merit or competence.

“The present objections to Prof. Amupitan’s appointment raise serious questions as to whether the resistance is driven by identity rather than merit,” the group said.

CSMN further explained that the controversy surrounding the INEC boss stemmed from a legal opinion he offered as a private practitioner concerning reported killings of Christians in parts of the country, insisting that such an opinion should not be used to question his neutrality in office.

“The issue for which Prof. Amupitan is being portrayed as a threat to democracy is rather trivial. He merely expressed a legal opinion in his capacity as a legal practitioner,” the statement added.

Beyond the immediate dispute, the group called for broader constitutional reforms, particularly regarding the scope and application of Shari’ah within Nigeria’s legal framework.

It argued that while Shari’ah personal law is recognised by the Constitution, Shari’ah criminal law lacks clear constitutional backing and has contributed to recurring tensions in some parts of the country.

Citing respected legal authorities, including Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Justice Mohammed Bello and Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN), the group maintained that elements of Shari’ah criminal law conflict with provisions of the 1999 Constitution, especially on freedom of religion.

The group urged religious leaders to promote constructive dialogue and constitutional engagement rather than actions capable of deepening sectarian divides.

“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.