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Ensure “appointments reflect the diversity of Nigeria”: Christian Leaders to New President

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the new President of Nigeria, who was sworn in on May 29. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the new President of Nigeria, who was sworn in on May 29 will need to see to it that those he appoints to government offices, including the security docket reflect the country’s diversity without overlooking merit, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said.

In a Wednesday, June 7 statement, officials of the Christian entity that includes representatives of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) “advise President Tinubu to take a proactive stance in ensuring that the appointments reflect the diversity of Nigeria and that the best individuals are selected for these positions.”

“We wish to advise the President to ensure a good balance in the appointment of Security Chiefs and other top political positions that will help stabilize his government,” they say, and add that striking a balance is important as he “is taking office at a time when virtually all sectors of the country are yearning for attention.”  

CAN officials further say Nigerians are looking forward to a government that will address the unfairness and injustices of the past administration.

They urge President Tinubu to “use the opportunity of these appointments to allay the fears of Nigerians.”

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Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari was viewed to be biased when making appointments. In 2021, the former President was accused of bypassing 24 senior military officers to appoint Major-General Farouk Yahaya, a northerner and a Muslim like himself.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.