The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN) has warned against politicising the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying threats to boycott elections along religious lines could increase tensions and weaken public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.

In a joint statement signed by Elder Sunday Oibe, Chairman of the Governing Council, and Bosun Emmanuel, Chief Executive Officer, the group called for caution in public statements that could worsen the country’s already fragile political and security situation.

The appeal followed calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) asking the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to resign.

The Islamic body, during its 2026 pre-Ramadan lecture in Abuja, described the INEC chairman as a threat to electoral credibility and warned that Muslims might refuse to recognise elections conducted under his leadership, citing ‘serious’ integrity and neutrality concerns

Responding to the development, the Christian organisation said it was not defending any government but urging religious groups to avoid actions that could deepen divisions and weaken national unity. It stressed that appointments to national institutions should be guided by constitutional procedures, not religious pressure.

“With the many challenges confronting Nigeria today, every patriotic citizen ought to exercise great restraint with actions and statements capable of escalating an already volatile situation,” the CSMN said.

The group noted that past administrations had appointed INEC chairmen from different religious backgrounds without facing boycott threats, warning that the current controversy risks introducing religion into the management of elections.

“By raising the present concern, this Movement is neither holding brief for the Tinubu administration nor playing partisan politics, but merely insists that religious groups should not constitute themselves into promoters of injustice and inequality.

“Reasonable efforts should rather be towards deescalating the tensions already created in the name of religion, not fanning the same terrible embers,” the clerics stated.

CSMN also said leadership appointments in federal institutions have historically reflected Nigeria’s diversity and should not become reasons for religious mobilisation, warning that prolonged religious polarisation could weaken trust in national institutions.

On broader constitutional debates raised by some Islamic organisations, the group called for legal clarity on the role of Sharia within Nigeria’s plural legal system and urged long-term constitutional reforms that would promote fairness and national unity.

“Attempts to deepen the religious imbalance when the country should be seeking healing and fairness will only drag it deeper into mutual suspicion and sectarian violence,” it said.

The organisation urged religious leaders, civic groups and political actors to prioritise dialogue, respect for institutions and constitutional processes, stressing that Nigeria’s stability depends on reducing religious confrontation rather than intensifying it. (Vanguard)

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