CAN Calls For More Christians In Niger Cabinet

From Saka Bolaji, Minna

The Niger state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to fulfil his campaign promises by increasing the number of Christians in his cabinets.
Addressing journalists at the State Secretariat at the weekend in a message tagged “Honour your Campaign Promises” in Minna, the State Chairman, CAN, Revd. Mathias Echioda said “we have maximally supported this administration led by Dr. Abubakar Sani Bello for over two years and we are appealing to him to give us fair treatment.

According to him “it is not fair when of the 15 Executive members in Niger state, Christians are only three commissioners. We therefore ask the government of Niger state to immediately address this political imbalance.

“The assurance of Christian presence amongst the principal officers of the governor, deputy governor, Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff and so on, were part of his promises.

“The lame explanation that people’s appointments were based on merit, not on religious leaning is untenable. We wish to remind Mr. Governor that a promise is actually a debt, and a gentleman is bound by his pledge”.

He added that “this will heal our present observation and fear that there is this deliberate arrangement to eliminate Christians from being involved in the governance of Niger state.”

While calling on the governor of the pending engagement of Christian Religious Studies (CRS) teachers in public schools, Rev. Echioda said “this is of paramount importance to us- whoever denies us of this, as other rights, is set at destroying our future and destiny. It was a deal before elections”, he said

Accordingly, he said “we ask Mr. Governor to as a matter of urgency put machinery in place for the employment of qualified teachers before September, 2017”, he said.

Echioda further expressed disappointment in the construction of public schools where the government only built Mosques, and Christian places of worship are never taken into consideration.

The CAN Chairman also called on the government to without delay bring back the Area Courts that were abolished so that Christians can seek redress. “We smell rats in this. Christians are being forced to look for justice in the Sharia courts”, he said.