Muslim-Muslim ticket: Tinubu has proven our fears wrong, says Northern CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has said that President Bola Tinubu’s inclusive governance irrespective of ethno-religious differences has overshadowed the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the Presidency.

Besides, Northern CAN Chairman, Reverend Yakubu Pam, told Journalists in an interview shortly after the meeting of the National Executive Committee of Northern CAN in Kaduna that it would be good to have a Christian as the 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 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.”

Pam noted that “the Presidency will be good to bring a Christian as number two. 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 like the previous years where there were bombings.

“I think the major challenge now is hunger. People are really, really suffering. Prices of commodities are crazy. That is what we are crying for now. But the President has said that with time… I believe, let’s see how it goes.”

Earlier in his address at the meeting, Pam who acknowledged the presence of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG), George Akume at the meeting urged Nigerians to keep praying for President Tinubu and for the peace, progress, and prosperity of Nigeria.

“While we celebrate unity and religious harmony, we cannot overlook the significant challenges facing Christians and the general population in Northern Nigeria,” he said.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Akume, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Christopher Tarka, said that Tinubu was committed to promoting good governance across the country while urging Northern CAN to continue to pray for unity, love, and peace in the region.

“The President’s actions, particularly during the last Christmas season—providing palliatives to Christians across the North, reducing fuel prices, and prioritizing security during the festivities—demonstrate his commitment to the welfare of all Nigerians,” he said.

“The government is working tirelessly to restore peace, stability, and economic growth in 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.”