The Middle Belt Ethnic Youth Leaders Assembly (MBEYLA) has outrightly rejected and condemned the call by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, describing the demand as reckless, sectarian, and a grave assault on Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
MBEYLA recalls that few days ago, the Shari’ah Council publicly demanded the immediate removal and prosecution of Prof. Amupitan, alleging compromised integrity on the basis of a legal brief in which he reportedly acknowledged claims relating to the persecution and killing of Christians in parts of Nigeria. We consider this reaction not only disproportionate but deeply troubling in both intent and implication.
To be clear, acknowledging the existence of insecurity, persecution, or humanitarian crises, regardless of the victims’ faith, does not constitute hate, bias, or professional misconduct. On the contrary, silencing such concerns is what undermines justice, national healing, and institutional credibility. Nigeria cannot pretend away its challenges simply because they make some constituencies uncomfortable.
MBEYLA finds it alarming that religious platforms are increasingly being deployed as instruments of pressure, intimidation, and political blackmail against national institutions. Threatening to reject electoral outcomes or delegitimise INEC solely because its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is a Christian is constitutionally indefensible and morally outrageous.
The hypocrisy of this posture is glaring. As a matter of undisputed historical record, Nigeria has had two successive INEC Chairmen who were Muslims, yet neither Christian organisations nor Middle Belt stakeholders ever threatened to reject elections, demand removals, or undermine the legitimacy of the Commission on religious grounds. This selective outrage exposes a dangerous sense of entitlement that must be confronted.
Let it be stated without equivocation: Nigeria is a secular republic governed by the Constitution, not by religious councils or sectarian vetoes. No group, religious or otherwise, has the authority to determine who may occupy public office based on faith, nor to hold the nation hostage to its preferences.
The Middle Belt has long suffered the consequences of religious polarisation, identity politics, and unchecked extremism, yet has consistently chosen restraint and national unity over provocation. However, that restraint is not infinite. MBEYLA therefore warns that the Middle Belt will no longer tolerate the excesses of any part of the country that behaves as though it owns Nigeria, dictates national narratives, or seeks dominance through religious intimidation.
We strongly caution against further attempts to polarise the country along religious lines. Competence, integrity, professionalism, and fidelity to the Constitution, not religious affiliation, must remain the sole criteria for public service. Anything short of this is a deliberate march toward national disintegration.
MBEYLA calls on religious bodies, civil society groups, and political actors to exercise restraint, intellectual honesty, and statesmanship. Nigeria’s diversity is not a weapon to be wielded, but a responsibility to be managed with fairness and mutual respect.
The Middle Belt remains firmly committed to peace, justice, and a truly inclusive Nigeria. But let no one be mistaken: unity cannot be sustained on intimidation, selective morality, or sectarian absolutism.
Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians and the Middle Belt will defend that truth.
Signed:
Amb. Miri Timnan Nyantau (M.T.N)
President General, Middle Belt Ethnic Youth Leaders Assembly (MBEYLA) &
National President, Tarok Progressive Youth Association (TAPYA)
Umbrella Body of Tarok Youth Worldwide
