Arewa Christian Leaders protest alleged discrimination in federal appointments

The Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA) has raised alarm over what it described as ongoing discrimination against Northern Christians in federal employment, scholarship, and appointment opportunities.

The association alleged that a qualified Christian candidate from the North East, who emerged first in a recent interview for the appointment of Permanent Secretaries, was denied the position, while a Muslim candidate who ranked fifth was selected instead.

ACIPA made the allegation in an open letter addressed to the President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Justice, and members of the National Assembly. The letter was signed by the association’s Chairman, Rev. (Dr) Luke Shehu, and copied to religious leaders, traditional rulers, legislators, ministers, federal commissioners, the media, security agencies, and civil society organisations.

The letter reads, “The Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA) attention has been drawn to yet another persecution against a Northern Christian with regards to the position of Federal Permanent Secretary following the recent interview.

“For the avoidance of doubt, despite government’s denial of persecution and systematic genocide against Christians especially in Northern Nigeria, it is evident that Northern Christians and Hausa Christians in particular have been and are still denied rights of employment, scholarships and appointments.

“Our open letter brings to public domain the recent case of outright persecution against a Christian from the North East who came first scoring 83% in the recently concluded interview for the appointment of Permanent Secretaries.

“In the usual perpetuation of denial of rights and persecution of Northern Christians and indigenous people experienced in states like Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Kebbi and at the Federal level, one Mohammed Musa Isiyaku who scored 54% emerging the fifth position was announced as Permanent Secretary by the office of the Head of Service of the Federation on 4th November, 2025.”

The association claimed that the appointment process was already being finalized in favour of the Muslim candidate, describing it as “a travesty and persecution” that must be reversed.

“We are aware of the ongoing process to swear in the said Mohammed as the Permanent Secretary instead of the qualified Christian.

“Once again, true to our calling as advocates of peace, unity, social justice and development, we are not only renouncing and rejecting the travesty and persecution but we are calling on all concerned to correct this abnormality and travesty with immediate effect”, he stated.

ACIPA urged President Bola Tinubu and other authorities to intervene to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all Nigerians, regardless of religion or ethnicity.

“ACIPA is calling on all advocates against persecution and travesty to rise to the occasion and call authorities to order against the persecution of Christians in the North. A travesty that has almost become a norm. This is no longer acceptable,” the association declared.