Tinubu’s Administration Has Reduced Persecution Of Northern Christians

Improved Conditions for Northern Christians Under Tinubu’s Leadership

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the North, Rev. Yakubu Pam, has stated that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has significantly improved the situation of Christians in Northern Nigeria. According to Pam, cases of Christian persecution have notably declined since Tinubu took office in 2023.

His statement follows recent commendations of the government’s efforts in fostering inclusive governance, a move that has been positively received by many Christian leaders in the region.

Reduction in Persecution and Discriminatory Practices

During an interview on Arise TV’s The Morning Show on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Pam acknowledged that while persecution has not been completely eradicated, there has been a marked reduction in its frequency.

He highlighted several key improvements under the current administration, including:

A decline in discriminatory restrictions against Christians seeking to purchase land for church buildings.
A significant reduction in forced conversions and marriages of young Christian girls.

“There’s still persecution of Christians going on. It is relatively better under this administration, but it is still ongoing. I’m not saying it has stopped, but it’s much better,” Pam stated.

At a press conference held in Kaduna, the CAN chairman reiterated his concerns, emphasizing that although challenges remain, progress has been made in addressing issues such as land acquisition for church construction and the prevention of forced religious conversions.

President Tinubu’s Inclusive Governance

Despite initial concerns over Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, Pam acknowledged that the president has shown a reasonable level of inclusiveness in his governance approach.

Following a meeting of the Northern CAN National Executive Committee (NEC) on Saturday, January 25, 2025, Pam stressed the importance of Christian representation in governance.

“For me, the most important thing is an inclusive government. Even with the Muslim-Muslim ticket, we have seen reasonable inclusiveness,” he noted.

However, he emphasized that Northern Christians should be considered for key political positions in the future. Specifically, he suggested that if President Tinubu decides to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027, a Northern Christian candidate should be given strong consideration.

Conclusion

While Christian persecution in Northern Nigeria has not been completely eradicated, Rev. Yakubu Pam’s remarks suggest that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has taken significant steps toward reducing discrimination and fostering inclusivity. As the country moves forward, many Northern Christians hope for continued improvements and greater political representation in the years to come.