Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s inclusive governance has addressed concerns over Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
The issue dominated electioneering before Tinubu emerged the country’s president at the 2023 presidential election.
However, the Northern CAN chairman, Rev Yakubu Pam, told newsmen in an interview yesterday after a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the association in Kaduna that it would be proper to have a Christian as number two citizen at the Presidency for balancing between the two major religions in the country.
He said, “For me, the most important thing is a government that is inclusive and as far as they have done Muslim-Muslim ticket, we have also seen reasonable inclusiveness. Left for us, we will say yes, let’s have Christians in certain positions like vice president and other positions to reflect our diversity.
“The Presidency will be good to bring a Christian as Number 2. We will appreciate it; there is nothing wrong with that. Whatever way, the important thing is that insecurity should be tackled. We know the desire of Nigerians is to see that insecurity is addressed so that they can go about their normal daily activities without fear.
“This is already happening; we want the government to declare a complete state of emergency on the issue of insecurity… We may have a Christian there and killings may still be going on, but it is something we still pray for.
“The performance of the current administration is going on a little bit better, but we want them to do more. There are pockets of things here and there that should be addressed. The situation is not as bad as the previous years where there were bombings,” he said.
According to him, the major challenge facing Nigeria now is hunger, stressing that “People are really, really suffering. The prices of commodities are crazy. That is what we are crying for now. But the president has said that with time, things will get better… I believe, let’s see how it goes.”
Earlier in his address at the meeting, Rev Pam said, Christians would continue to pray for President Tinubu, and “for the peace, progress and prosperity of our beloved nation.
“While we celebrate unity and religious harmony, we cannot overlook the significant challenges facing Christians and the general population in Northern Nigeria.
“Our region continues to grapple with widespread insecurity, including banditry, insurgency and terrorism, which have destabilised communities and left many displaced.
“The menace of kidnapping for ransom remains a pressing concern, causing fear and hardship for countless families across the North. The ongoing crises between farmers and herders have devastated lives, disrupted agricultural activities and threatened food security in the region.
“Christians in some states still face challenges in acquiring land for church buildings, as well as marginalisation in political appointments and access to opportunities.
“The rising cost of living and limited economic opportunities have left many struggling to survive, particularly in the face of insecurity and displacement. We appreciate the efforts made by Mr President and his administration to address these issues, but we appeal for greater intervention to restore peace and stability in Northern Nigeria”.
“We also wish to express our concerns regarding political appointments. For example, in the North-West Development Commission, no Christian from the region was considered for appointment; instead, a Christian from the South-East was included.
“While we acknowledge and thank Mr President for appointing a Christian as SGF and a few ministers, we humbly request more inclusion of Northern Christians in key political positions and decision-making roles.
“We commend your unwavering commitment to promoting religious harmony and unity in the discharge of your duties. Northern Nigeria has endured significant setbacks due to religious crises and we need leaders like you – leaders who prioritise unity, fairness and peace,” Pam said.
In his response, the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), George Akume, who was represented by his chief of staff, Christopher Tarka, informed the gathering that Tinubu was committed to promoting good governance across the country.
To this end, the SGF urged Northern CAN to continue to pray for unity, love and peace in the region.
He said, “Let me begin by assuring you that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is fully committed to promoting good governance, equity and inclusivity across all regions of Nigeria. The president’s actions, particularly during the last Christmas season – providing palliatives for Christians across the North, reducing fuel prices, and prioritising security during the festivities – demonstrate his commitment to the welfare of all Nigerians.
“Be rest assured that this administration is determined to address the pressing challenges facing the Northern region, including insecurity, kidnapping, farmer-herder conflicts and economic hardship. The government is working tirelessly to restore peace, stability and economic growth in the affected areas.
“The concerns regarding difficulties in acquiring land for church buildings and the perceived exclusion of Northern Christians in key political appointments are well understood. I will personally bring these issues to the attention of Mr President to ensure that they are addressed appropriately.
“I acknowledge the concerns regarding the lack of representation of Northern Christians in the North-West Development Commission. While I appreciate the recognition of the steps already taken by the president, such as appointing a Christian as the SGF and other ministerial roles, I assure you that we will continue to advocate for greater inclusion of Northern Christians in decision-making positions.
“The government is working on robust policies and measures to address insecurity, ensure justice and create economic opportunities that benefit everyone, particularly in the Northern region.
“As a Christian and a servant of this great nation, I am fully committed to standing with you and supporting you at all times. I see my role not only as an administrative duty but as a divine assignment to serve as a bridge between the government and the Christian community. Together, we can foster unity, peace and progress in our country.”
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