2027: Don’t Drag INEC into Non secular Politics – Christian Group Warn Shari’a Council
A Christian organisation has cautioned non secular our bodies in opposition to turning the management of the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) right into a faith-based political battle forward of the 2027 common elections.
The Christian Social Motion of Nigeria (CSMN) mentioned makes an attempt to strain INEC management alongside non secular strains might inflame tensions and injury public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral course of.
The group spoke after the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) demanded the resignation of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan. The Islamic physique accused him of missing neutrality and warned that Muslims may reject elections carried out underneath his watch.
In a joint assertion signed by Elder Sunday Oibe and Bosun Emmanuel, CSMN mentioned Nigeria’s democracy should not be dragged into non secular confrontation at a time of rising insecurity and political uncertainty.
“With the numerous challenges confronting Nigeria as we speak, each patriotic citizen should train nice restraint with actions and statements able to escalating an already risky scenario,” the CSMN mentioned.
The Christian group defined that it was not defending any authorities or official. It mentioned its concern was about defending nationwide unity and constitutional order. In accordance with the group, appointments into key establishments should observe authorized procedures, not strain from non secular pursuits.
CSMN recalled that earlier INEC chairmen got here from completely different non secular backgrounds with out threats of election boycotts. It warned that the present dispute might open a harmful path the place religion determines acceptance of nationwide establishments.
“By elevating the current concern, this Motion is neither holding transient for the Tinubu administration nor taking part in partisan politics, however merely insists that non secular {groups} shouldn’t represent themselves into promoters of injustice and inequality.
“Cheap efforts ought to fairly be in direction of deescalating the tensions already created within the title of faith, not fanning the identical horrible embers,” the clerics said.
The organisation mentioned extended non secular mobilisation over state appointments might weaken belief in INEC and different federal our bodies. It added that Nigeria’s range needs to be seen as a power, not a weapon for political strain.
On wider constitutional arguments raised by some Islamic {groups}, CSMN referred to as for clearer authorized interpretation of Sharia inside Nigeria’s plural authorized system. It urged reforms that will promote equity and scale back suspicion amongst residents.
“Makes an attempt to deepen the non secular imbalance when the nation needs to be searching for therapeutic and equity will solely drag it deeper into mutual suspicion and sectarian violence,” it mentioned.
CSMN appealed to non secular leaders, civil society {groups} and politicians to embrace dialogue and keep away from statements able to triggering unrest. It careworn that stability is determined by respect for establishments and constitutional processes.