The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly criticised the northern wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for defending the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, over allegations linking him to the portrayal of Nigeria as a country of particular concern and the promotion of what it described as a “fictitious Christian genocide narrative.”
In a statement circulated to journalists on Saturday, January 31, 2026, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, accused Northern CAN of evading the substantive issues raised against Amupitan while focusing on peripheral matters.
MURIC was reacting to a recent statement by Northern CAN, signed by its Chairman, Reverend Joseph John Hayab, and Secretary General, Bishop Mohammed Naga, in which the Christian body defended Amupitan and accused the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) of politicising religion following calls for the INEC chairman’s removal.
According to MURIC, Northern CAN failed to directly address the central allegation of whether Amupitan authored an alleged 80-page legal brief said to have portrayed Nigeria negatively to foreign authorities. The group argued that rather than clarify or refute the allegation, CAN shifted attention to questioning the motives of Islamic organisations demanding Amupitan’s removal.
“Mature organisations confront issues directly, but CAN ignored the substance while pursuing the shadow,” Akintola said, describing CAN’s approach as “escapist and emotion-laden.”
MURIC further alleged that the legal brief attributed to Amupitan contained “lies, hate speech and disdain for Northern Muslims,” noting that Amupitan has not publicly denied authoring the document. The group also faulted CAN for, in its view, defending what it described as an “indefensible” act.
While stressing that it was not calling for Amupitan’s prosecution, MURIC said it had lost confidence in his leadership of INEC, arguing that his continued stay in office could undermine trust among Muslim communities. The organisation urged the Federal Government to appoint another Christian from the same region if necessary.
The group claimed that several Islamic organisations, including the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the SCSN, the Muslim Media Watch Group (MMWG) and MURIC itself, have all demanded Amupitan’s removal, citing concerns over impartiality and national unity.
MURIC also rejected suggestions that those calling for Amupitan’s removal were hiding behind religious platforms, insisting that its actions were an exercise of constitutional rights to free expression.
In a broader critique, MURIC accused Northern CAN of a pattern of reporting Nigeria negatively to foreign governments and warned that such actions could have serious consequences for the country’s image and stability.
READ ALSO: Abba Moro Condoles Saraki on Death of Father-in-Law, Describes Loss as Profound
Tribute:Sanwo-Olu Hails Aikhomu’s Widow as Model of Humility, Service
“CAN is beating around the bush,” the statement concluded. “CAN cannot address the issue.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor Northern CAN had issued a fresh response to MURIC’s latest statement.
About The Author
