The Anglican Bishop of Ijumu Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Prof. Paul Olanrewaju Ojo says the appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come to stay, saying the erudite Legal Icon goes nowhere.
Prof. Ojo also urged Nigerians to avoid promoting divisive rhetoric that could threaten the unity and stability of the country.
In an Exclusive Interview with The Drum Reporter, the Religions Leader was reacting to the call by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, calling for th removal of Prof. Amupitan.
According to him, the religious faith of an INEC Chairman has no bearing on his responsibilities which are neutral and clearly defined by the constitution.
“Prof. Amupitan is going nowhere. You mean Christians cannot occupy positions? Are we not Nigerians? A Professor of Law for that matter. Atahiru Jega was INEC Chairman, after him Mahmood Yakubu took over, two Muslims.
“The INEC Chairman was appointed to implement the law guiding elections in Nigeria. Anybody calling for the removal of Prof. Amupitan are wasting their time, if we are to be sincere.
He noted that the integrity of Professor Amupitan’s predecessors were never called into question due to their faiths, describing the actors as enemies of the nation.
Prof. Ojo stressed that every citizen is a Nigerian first before being part of a particular religion or ethnicity, warning that such actions are inimical to the togetherness of a secular country.
He further states that”The constitution is neutral, it does not have an Islamic and Christian face as anybody can manage the Commission on our behalf.”
“They are just showing how much hatred they have for Christians. Anybody making that call is not a true Nigerian and he’s not been sincere. Therefore, anybody calling for the removal of Prof. Amupitan does not want the nation to rest and be stable.
The Cleric praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Professor Amupitan, a Professor of Law, as head of the electoral umpire based on his competence rather than religion or ethnicity.
He expressed confidence that the INEC boss will carry out his responsibilities with fairness and neutrality as is required of him by the laws of the land.
