PRESS RELEASE
The Concerned Christian Northern Nigerian Progressive Forum (CNNPF) has appealed to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to accord greater recognition and inclusion to its National Convener, Rt. Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, PhD, in party decision-making, especially the current Campaign council and relevant government structures for 2027 general election.
The appeal was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of CNNPF, Elder Hon. Ibrahim Gabriel Itodo, and addressed to the APC National Working Committee at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.According to the Forum, Rt. Hon. Jaji played a significant role in reducing religious tension and building confidence among Christian communities in Northern Nigeria during the 2023 presidential election, particularly following the emergence of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
CNNPF recalled that at a time when religious sentiments and mistrust were heightened across parts of Northern Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Jaji, who served as Director-General of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Kashim Shettima Presidential Campaign Council in the North-West, embarked on extensive engagements across the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Forum said his engagements with Christian leaders, youths, women and other stakeholders helped promote dialogue, unity and continued political participation within the APC.
The statement noted that Rt. Hon. Jaji consistently advanced the message that the APC should be viewed as a party of progress and national development rather than through the prism of religion.
CNNPF described Rt. Hon. Jaji as “a unifier, a technocrat and a bridge-builder between faith and politics,” stressing that his continued engagement with Christian communities remains important to the party’s efforts to strengthen its grassroots support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Forum’s Appeal CNNPF therefore called on the APC National Working Committee to:
1. Recognise Rt. Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, PhD as a key stakeholder and bridge-builder in the party’s engagement with Christian communities across Northern Nigeria.
2. Include Rt. Hon. Jaji and the leadership of CNNPF in relevant party decision-making processes, campaign structures and other areas where their experience and grassroots engagement can contribute to the party’s success.
3. Consider competent and credible Christian stakeholders for appropriate government and party appointments to strengthen the perception of inclusiveness within the APC.
4. Empower CNNPF to undertake grassroots sensitisation and mobilisation programmes aimed at countering the politicisation of religion, ethnicity and sectionalism.Proposed Strategy for Promoting Unity
The Forum also proposed a number of initiatives which, it said, could help the APC strengthen national unity and broaden its appeal ahead of 2027.
These include placing greater emphasis on performance and development rather than religious or ethnic identity, organising joint Muslim-Christian dialogue platforms, ensuring visible inclusiveness in party and government structures, and engaging religious leaders and the media to promote the message that politics should be about service and development rather than religious division.
CNNPF maintained that opposition political parties and other political interests could continue to exploit religious and ethnic sentiments for political advantage, and urged the APC leadership to proactively address such narratives through credible voices and inclusive political engagement.“A Man Who Stood in the Gap Deserves to Be Honoured”
The Forum said Rt. Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji’s past contributions, loyalty and capacity make him an important asset to the APC at this critical period.“A man who stood in the gap when others were silent deserves to be honoured and used,” the Forum stated, stressing that greater utilisation of Rt. Hon. Jaji’s experience and networks could assist the APC in strengthening its relationship with Christian communities and promoting unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
CNNPF reaffirmed its loyalty to the APC and expressed its commitment to the ideals of national unity, peaceful political participation and inclusive governance.
The Forum concluded with a call for “One APC, One Nigeria,” while praying for the success of the party and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.Signed:Elder Hon. Ibrahim Gabriel ItodoChairman, Concerned Northern Nigerian Christian Progressive Forum (CNNPF) 08039496344 | 07055863188