…Commends Tinubu For Appointing Northern Christians Into Strategic Positions
By Ebriku John Friday
The Northern Christian Forum(NCF) together with a Coalition of 22 Christian Civil Society Organisations’ has held a peaceful, solidarity rally to congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President, Ibrahim Shettima, on their recent victory at the Presidential Elections Petitions Court (PEPC).
Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Friday at the venue of the rally, Reverend Kelvin Pwajok, National President of Northern Christian Forum showered enconiums on President Tinubu for appointing Christians into various strategic positions in his administration.
Pwajok, who described these appointments as “unprecedented” and “unparallel” in the history of Nigeria, added that Christian Minority in Northern Nigeria before this administration had been “marginalised, forgotten, downtrodden, neglected and completely ignored.”
He said: “The Northern Christian Forum and a Coalition of 22 Christian CSOs & NGOs would like to Congratulate His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President, Ibrahim Shettima, on their recent resounding victory at the Presidential Elections Petitions Court (PEPC) and appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Northern Christians into sensitive, strategic and important political positions since his swearing-in on the 29th of May, 2023.
“My President Sir, we are representatives of Christian Minority Groups in Northern Nigeria who aim at pursuing justice,equity, fairness and a sense of inclusion and belonging for our members through peaceful means and have been most impressed with the unprecedented and unparalleled appointments of Northern Christians into the Tinubu Administration, as this has clearly indicated inclusiveness and a sense of belonging in an otherwise shut-out, marginalised, neglected, abandoned and completely forgotten Christian Minority in Northern Nigeria.
“We would like to commend you for appointing many Northern Christians into the government since you were sworn in.
We, Christians of the Middle-Belt have been the most marginalised, forgotten, downtrodden, neglected and completely ignored section of the entity called Nigeria until you were sworn in on the 29th of May this year.
“Permit us to say that at a point, we were wondering if we too were regarded as Nigerian citizens and had a say,a voice and a stake in our dear country Nigeria,but as soon as you were sworn-in, you quickly, swiftly, unprecedentedly and pleasantly surprised us and majority of well intentioned Nigerians by appointing His Excellency Senator George Akume from Benue State as Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF for the very first time in the history of Nigeria.We thank you, Mr. President!
“Your Excellency Sir,you also appointed General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the 18th Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on the 19th of June this year, who is a Northern Christian from Zangon Kataf in Kaduna State.
“His appointment is a testament that Mr. President does not engage in politics of bitterness and vindictiveness which is very rare among politicians and that he governs with remarkable ingenuity and inclusiveness by leading all Nigerians as one United Nation. God bless President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Pwajok further lauded the Justices of the PEPC for their just and landmark ruling on the Petitions by the Labour Party(LP) and Peoples’Demcratic Party(PDP) Presidential candidates challenging the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which the learned Justices in their wisdom dismissed.
He said: “Even in the face of paid propaganda entitled “All Eyes on the Judiciary” their Lordships did the right thing by dismissing the petitions and upholding the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
While commending the presidential candidates of the Labour party and PDP for going to court as guaranteed by the Constitution, Pwajok advised them to “bury the hatchet and join the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his “Renewed Hope Agenda” in moving Nigeria forward, as a lot has to be done to take Nigeria to the promised Land.”
The Northern Christian Forum also called on well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with President Tinubu in moving Nigeria forward.
“We as Northern Christian were initially sceptical of the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President, Ibrahim Shettima, but have been really impressed by the appointments of Northern Christians into this government,we plead with all well-meaning Nigerians from every geo-political zone to join hands with the Tinubu administration to move Nigeria forward.
“The Northern Christian Forum and this Coalition of Northern Christian Minority Groups call on all Christians in particular and Nigerians in general to unite in prayer for the well-being of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President, Ibrahim Shettima and pray for wisdom,good health and divine guidance as they lead our great nation through these challenging times.
“By standing together and offering our collective support, we can help build a stronger,better and more prosperous Nigeria,” he explained.
