The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership for fostering inclusive governance, transcending the once-contentious debate surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election.
In a recent interview following the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Kaduna, the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Yakubu Pam, expressed that while the President’s approach has quelled the ethno-religious tensions that dominated pre-election discourse, it would be beneficial to have a Christian serving as the country’s vice president.
This, he believes, would further promote balance between the two major religions and reflect Nigeria’s diversity.
Rev. Pam emphasised the importance of religious inclusivity in the leadership structure, advocating for a balanced representation at the highest levels of government to ensure harmony and unity across the nation.
“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 reasonably 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 people 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 acknowledged that the major challenge right now is hunger, adding that people are really suffering. “Prices of commodities are crazy. That is what we are crying for now. But the President has said that with time, it will be better. I believe, let’s see how it goes,” Pam said.
Earlier in his address to the meeting, Rev. Pam said, “Your presence here today reminds us of our duty to continually pray for His Excellency, the President, 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 destabilized 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 marginalization 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 prioritize unity, fairness, and peace”.
