The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has rejected calls for the removal of Joash Amupitan, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, over his comments on alleged Christian genocide in the country.
The demand for Amupitan’s resignation or dismissal came from
the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), whose president, Bashir
Umar, accused Amupitan of divisive propaganda and questioned his impartiality
during the council’s 2026 annual pre-Ramadan lecture in Abuja on Tuesday.
Umar said Amupitan’s position, stemming from his earlier
legal brief or statements acknowledging claims of genocide against Christians,
undermined his credibility to lead Nigeria’s electoral body.
“The honourable thing is for him to resign. If he does not,
the government should dismiss or retire him,” Umar said.
But in a statement issued on Saturday in Kaduna and signed
by David Bakare, its national secretary, the PFN condemned the SCSN’s position
“in every ramification”.
The fellowship defended Amupitan’s right to express personal
views on national issues, adding that such opinions are unrelated to his
official duties at INEC.
“Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make
comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his
appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
“We strongly oppose such calls… This matter has nothing to
do with his assignment. It has nothing to do with elections or any electoral
activity, for which he is appointed. He should not be punished for taking a
position as a true Nigerian.”
Bakare urged Nigerians to resist judging individuals based
solely on religious beliefs or affiliations, insisting that Amupitan should not
lose his job for speaking his mind.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to engage in national
discourse with restraint, understanding, and respect for others’ rights.
“Matters of serious national concern should be addressed in
a manner that promotes unity and peaceful coexistence,” Bakare added.
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