Northern, Hausa Christians Petition Tinubu, Fagbemi Over Alleged Persecution

The Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA) has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), alleging persistent persecution and denial of opportunities to Northern and Hausa Christians in public service appointments.

The group said that despite government denials, evidence of discrimination against Christians in several northern states and at the federal level remains overwhelming.

In the letter, ACIPA claimed that Northern Christians continue to face institutionalised barriers in states including Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Kebbi, and even within federal ministries and agencies.

The group alleged that Christians in these regions are routinely denied employment, scholarships, and political appointments, insisting that “systematic persecution” is still widespread.

ACIPA cited what it described as a recent example of outright injustice involving a Christian candidate from the North-East who reportedly scored 83% and placed first in the interview for the appointment of a Federal Permanent Secretary.

Despite topping the list, ACIPA said the Office of the Head of Service announced the appointment of a candidate who scored 54% and finished fifth.

“In the usual perpetuation of denial of rights and persecution of Northern Christians and indigenous people, someone who scored 54% emerging the fifth position was announced as Permanent Secretary on 4th November, 2025,” the group alleged.

The open letter, signed by ACIPA Chairman Dr. Luke Shehu, condemned the development as a blatant attack on fairness and merit.

“We are aware of the ongoing process to swear in [the 5th-place candidate] as the Permanent Secretary instead of the qualified Christian,” the statement read.

“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.”

ACIPA urged civil rights groups, religious leaders, and advocates of good governance to rise against what it called a growing pattern of persecution of Northern Christians.

“A travesty that has almost become a norm. This is no longer acceptable,” the group warned.

The association called on President Tinubu and the AGF to intervene and ensure that merit, equity, and justice prevail in the appointment of Permanent Secretaries and other federal positions.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the Ministry of Justice has issued a response to ACIPA’s allegations.