…commend President Tinubu for pardon of Saro-Wiwa
…say former governor El-Rufai “persona non grata,”
By Gloria Ikibah 
The Arewa Christians & Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA), has said that unless urgent reforms are undertaken, the nation risks a revolt worse than the #EndSARS protests.
President of ACIPA, Rev. Luke Shehu, who stated this a Democracy Day statement on Sunday in Abuja, began his address with a somber reflection on Nigeria’s democratic journey.
He lamented that Nigeria has failed to meet the expectations of its founding fathers, attributing national decline to systemic corruption and a lack of empathy by the ruling elite.
He said: “God bless Nigeria and Nigerians as we reminiscent as well as propose the way for restoration and a greater Nigeria.
“The reason for failure in areas of economic development, peace and security, provision of basic health care and educational services is basically associated to lack of emphaty, love for the people and massive corruption from our leaders”.
Quoting scripture, he added, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked rule, the people mourn” – Proverbs 29:2 (KJV).
According to ACIPA, Nigerians “have no reason to celebrate democracy when majority of Nigerians are not certain of basic daily meal just as they are insecured and with a high sense of uncertainty.”
While applauding President Tinubu’s gesture of national reconciliation through the pardon of late Ken Saro-Wiwa and others, Rev. Shehu criticised what he termed “nepotism and lopsided appointments,” warning that favoritism contradicts democratic ideals.
He called for a radical overhaul of national documentation processes to foster national unity.
“ACIPA strongly calls for the expunging of ‘religion’ and ‘tribe’ from all official details for schools, admissions, employment, National Identification, financial and other documents.”
Rev. Shehu acknowledged and congratulated recent federal appointees, including Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara and Mr. Cyril Tsenyil, while clarifying that previous commendation of President Tinubu’s ministerial appointment of Nyesom Wike did not translate to a blanket endorsement of Tinubu’s administration.
“We prayerfully encourage them to be steadfast, bold and resolute in making the difference as ‘salt’ and ‘light’ in other to make Nigeria greater”, he stated.
Condemnation of Corruption and El-Rufai
Criticising political corruption, Rev. Shehu accused members of the ruling party of using political office as a sanctuary to avoid prosecution.
He further cautioned that public discontent could escalate:l.
“ACIPA and indeed Nigerians have observed that the ruling party have become a safe haven or den for corrupt politicians and public servants to escape arrest and prosecution.
“Unless the authorities want an open revolt worse than the previous #EndSars, the needful most be done without fear or favor in fighting corruption and restoring the economy immediately”, he warned.
Rev. Shehu singled out former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as “persona non grata,” citing El-Rufai’s alleged anti-Christian actions and silence amid attacks on indigenous Christians:
“He did not only denied Christians the opportunity to produce the deputy governor, but his palpable silence while bandits and terrorists carried out calculated genocide against mostly Indigenous Christians have stood him out.”
Security Failures and Call to Defend the Land
ACIPA also condemned the federal and state governments for failing to secure lives and properties.
The group called on indigenous Christian communities in the North, to rise in self-defense:
“Government’s lack of political will and obvious compromise is known from within and by international observers.
“Every indigenous tribe and christians should immediately arise to defend their land and families. This should be done through networking and cooperation being careful against machinations of infiltrators and fifth columnists”, he asserted.
Conditions for 2027 Support
The group laid out a series of conditions that would guide any potential support for President Tinubu in the 2027 elections, including:
- Elimination of banditry and return of the military to the barracks.
- Curbing corruption and restoring the value of the Naira.
- Reviving local refineries to end fuel importation.
- Addressing Nigeria’s power sector failures.
- Establishing a Nigeria Border Patrol Guard to fight foreign infiltration.
- Creation of additional states to address marginalisation.
“The creation of more states is not only long overdue but truly critical towards grassroot development, security, promoting sociocultural affinities and identity,” Rev. Shehu said.
Rev. Shehu further called for continued prayers for Nigeria’s leadership, referencing I Timothy 2:1-3, but stressed that the patience of Nigerians should not be mistaken for passivity.
“Instead of a false celebration of democracy day, we should be moaning ‘in sack clothes.’ Thus, ACIPA rather congratulates Nigerians for the courage and resilience to stay alive in the hope of a greater promising future. However, our courage and resilience should not be taken for granted too far.”
