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The North West chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has voiced strong disapproval of President Bola Tinubu’s recent appointments to the board of directors of the North West Development Commission, highlighting a notable absence of Christian representation.
According to reports, President Tinubu submitted the names of seven members for the commission’s Governing Board to the Senate for confirmation. The appointments include Haruna Ginsau as Chairman and Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, alongside other members from various states in the region.
In a statement issued in Kaduna on Saturday, CAN Chairman for the North West, Sunday Oibe, expressed disappointment over what he described as “lopsided appointments,” which he believes perpetuate marginalization and exclusion of Christians. “We are deeply concerned about President Tinubu’s recent appointments to the board of directors of the North West Development Commission. Unfortunately, these appointments do not reflect the diversity of the region, as no Christians from the seven states were selected,” Oibe stated.
The North West Development Commission was established to tackle the region’s pressing developmental challenges, including infrastructure decay and security issues. However, Oibe underscored concerns regarding the commission’s representation, warning of potential bias in its operations.
He further asserted that the appointments reflect the implications of the Muslim-Muslim ticket from the 2023 presidential election, stating, “We are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the appointment of the board of directors into the Commission by President Tinubu shows that the intention behind the Muslim-Muslim ticket… has started manifesting.”
Emphasizing the need for inclusivity, Oibe noted that the North West is home to both Christians and Muslims, and the lack of representation undermines principles of fairness. “Mr. President should take note that there are indigenous Christians in all the states that make up the North-West, and it should not be assumed that all the people are Muslims,” he said.
He urged Tinubu to reassess the appointments for a more balanced representation, warning that ignoring these concerns could negatively impact the commission’s effectiveness and foster religious divisions in the region. “Leaving these appointments unchanged will have negative consequences for the commission’s success and encourages religious divisions in the region and Nigeria as a whole,” he cautioned.
Oibe called for President Tinubu to prioritize unity and inclusivity, particularly in balancing representation of both religious communities. He warned that if the concerns are not addressed, CAN may seek divine redress: “If Mr. President fails to address our genuine complaints, we may be left with no option than to seek redress before the court of heaven against his government’s composition of the board of directors of the commission.”
