Christian Media Forum Rejects Religious Pressure on INEC Leadership

The Christian Media Forum has strongly criticised a recent appeal by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria urging the removal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, on the basis of his religious identity.

In a statement signed by its national leadership, the Forum described the demand as unjustified and dangerously divisive, saying that it threatens the core democratic values of fairness, inclusion and respect for freedom of belief.

The group stressed that public office holders should be judged on their competence, integrity and performance, rather than their religion, and warned that attempts to frame political disagreements in religious terms could erode trust in key national institutions.

The Forum also expressed concern about the timing and wider impact of the call, suggesting it risks inflaming religious tensions and distracting attention from pressing national challenges such as insecurity and economic difficulties.

Urging greater restraint and unity, the Christian Media Forum reaffirmed its confidence in INEC’s mandate to conduct credible elections and called on all civic and religious leaders to promote peace and cohesion in the run‑up to future electoral processes.