Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has told Christians in the state that he did not consider them while appointing his cabinet.
Christian leaders had requested from the governor equal consideration in appointments into key positions in the state. But the governor responded: ‘‘Political appointments made were on merit.’’ The composition of the State Executive Council (SEC) by the Sani Bello-administration has attracted so much criticisms as being lopsided in both tribal and religion with Moslems mostly favoured than Christians hence they are feeling marginalised and therefore demand equal opportunity for the two major religions in Nigeria.
While Bello is a Moslem, his Deputy, Ahmed Ketso, Secretary to State Government (SSG), Isa Ladan, the Chief of Staff, Mikhael Bmitosahi, and all other commissioners except one, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, are all Moslems in a state that has about 60/40 percent ratio.
Bello made the explanation when he hosted the new executive of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, in his office. He said that in appointments he only considers people he can trust to work with him.
The state CAN Chairman, Rev. Mathias Echioda, had reminded him of promises made during his electioneering in 2015 when he (gov) promised to ensure equal recognition for all citizens of Niger State, including Christians, for key appointments but Bello said he deliberately avoided religion and tribal considerations which he said “are the twin problems threatening the peace of Nigeria today.”
“I did not allow religion and tribal considerations to influence my choice of people to appoint but I made deliberate effort to strike a balance”, Bello said, adding that, religion and tribal sentiments were two phenomena that tend to divide the country.
“Religion and tribal sentiments are fast gaining ground in the country and therefore needed to be checked, “For me, all appointments were made based on performance and my personal knowledge or assessment of all the appointees”.
According to him, “I want to see us as a people moved away from these sentiments. It is creating a gap and we have to bridge the gap because the gap is destroying us as a people. For me, I can appoint five persons from same religion of tribe as long as they will deliver. We were not like this as a people”.
He also expressed concern over the increasing insecurity in Niger State and called on religious leaders and citizens to help expose those engaging in crime in the state.
“It was not like this before, security situation is worsening by the day because we have been beclouded by sentiments and therefore fail to expose those involved in criminal activities in our midst”, Bello lamented.
The state CAN chairman, Rev. Mathias Echioda, had earlier commended the Bello administration for the impact made so far in changing the face of the state within the short time in office, but regretted that the lopsidedness in appointments is like making one religion lord over others.
While pledging the support of CAN leadership and the entire Christians in the state to the administration’s policies and programmes, Echioda said that both Christians and Moslems had co-existed over the years irrespective of difference in creed.
Echioda however appealed to Bello to ensure sustenance of the peace enjoyed in the state over the years by evolving policies and programmes that would encourage sustainable peace among the diverse; religion, tribal and political interests who voted for him.
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