The Christian Northern Nigeria Progressive Forum (CNNPF) has declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu completing a full eight-year tenure in office, insisting that national unity and political stability require adherence to Nigeria’s unwritten power rotation arrangement.

Speaking at the presentation of President Tinubu’s three-year scorecard to Christian communities in Northern Nigeria at the National Merit House in Abuja, CNNPF National Chairman, Ibrahim Gabriel Itodo, said the South should be allowed to complete its turn in power in the interest of fairness, equity and national cohesion.

According to him, the forum’s position is anchored on the need to sustain trust among Nigeria’s diverse regions and preserve the spirit of inclusion in the country’s democratic process.

“As Northern Christians and as Nigerians, we believe in fairness, equity and keeping our word as a nation. That is why CNNPF stands firmly on the moral agreement of the rotation of the presidential slot between the North and the South,” he said.

“We therefore appeal to all Nigerians: let the South complete its tenure. Let us honour that agreement so that trust, unity and political stability can be strengthened across the country.”

The group also defended the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, describing them as painful but necessary measures aimed at rebuilding the Nigerian economy.

Itodo acknowledged that the reforms had imposed hardship on citizens but argued that the administration had chosen to address the root causes of the country’s economic challenges rather than adopt temporary solutions.

“President Tinubu has chosen the harder path — the path of truth over popularity. He has refused to treat only the symptoms of our economic challenges. Instead, he has carried out a surgical operation on the Nigerian economy,” he stated.

Using a medical analogy, the CNNPF chairman said the pains associated with the reforms were part of a healing process that would eventually produce long-term benefits for Nigerians.

“Yes, surgery comes with pain. But pain is not the end of the story. If you have ever undergone surgery, you know that after the pain comes healing. Today, we are beginning to see signs of that healing,” he said.

The forum expressed confidence that the administration would deliver improved outcomes if allowed to complete a second term in office.

“Quote me, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, cannot afford to fail this nation if we allow the process to run naturally,” Itodo declared.

Reflecting on the 2023 presidential election, he said the decision by some Northern Christian politicians to support the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket should not be interpreted as hostility toward Christianity.

According to him, the election was deeply polarised along ethnic, sectional and religious lines, making political strategy crucial for electoral success.

“As Christian politicians, we saw what many Christians did not see. Our open declaration for the Muslim-Muslim ticket should not be misconstrued as working against the Church because of the contentious nature of that election. Winning became sacrosanct for all political parties,” he said.

He, however, acknowledged that Christians who demanded a Muslim-Christian ticket were justified in their concerns in a secular state where equal representation matters.

The CNNPF chairman further urged Nigerians to resist divisive politics and misinformation while supporting policies aimed at securing the country’s future.

“The work of nation-building is not for the president alone. It is for all of us. Let us remain vigilant against division and misinformation, and let us speak with one voice as Northern Christians committed to peace, inclusion and the progress of Nigeria,” he added.

Guest lecturer, Rev. Solomon John, called on Christians to participate actively in the political process by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards and joining political parties.

He said the controversy surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket had generated concerns among Christians but urged believers to focus on national development and peaceful coexistence.

“Christians need to be peace builders. Christians and the Church should serve as bridge builders encouraging national unity,” he said.

Drawing from his experience living in Burkina Faso for over a decade, Rev. John lamented that ethnicity and religion were often manipulated by political actors in Nigeria for selfish interests.

“We are full of ethnicity and religion and those in government use it against us. Politics is not a dirty game as many people think. Politics is God’s strategy to shine His light into the world,” he stated.

He also urged Christians to move beyond prayers alone and participate actively in governance through voting and civic engagement.

“It is not enough to pray. You and I must go and vote. Everybody has a duty to play,” he said.

Citing biblical figures such as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Rev. John encouraged Christians to support credible leaders and become active participants in nation-building.

“Get your PVC, join a party, support godly candidates. Christians of Northern Nigeria are here to stand with you,” he added.