FG Accused of Religious Bias for Overlooking Christian Who Topped Permanent Secretary Interview

The Federal Government has come under fire from a coalition of Northern clerics for allegedly sidelining a Christian candidate who scored highest in the recent Federal Permanent Secretary selection process, in favour of a Muslim counterpart with a lower score.

The Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA) made the accusation in an open letter dated November 6, 2025, addressed to President Bola Tinubu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Justice, and the leadership of the National Assembly.

In the statement signed by its Chairman, Rev. (Dr.) Luke Shehu, ACIPA said the incident reflects a continuing pattern of religious discrimination against Northern Christians in public service appointments.

“Our attention has been drawn to yet another persecution against a Northern Christian with regards to the right to the position of Federal Permanent Secretary following the recent interview,” Rev. Shehu said.

According to ACIPA, a Christian candidate from the North-East, who scored 83 percent—the highest in the assessment—was dropped, while Mohammed Musa Isiyaku, who scored 54 percent and ranked fifth, was appointed as Permanent Secretary by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) on November 4, 2025.

“In the usual perpetuation of denial of rights and persecution of Northern Christians and indigenous people, one Mohammed Musa Isiyaku, who scored 54 percent and placed fifth, was announced as Permanent Secretary by the OHCSF,” the group alleged.

The coalition said it was aware that plans were underway to swear in the lower-ranked candidate and urged the government to stop the process immediately.

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

Rev. Shehu said the group’s protest was not confrontational but a call for equity and justice.

“True to our calling as advocates of peace, unity, social justice, and development, we are not only rejecting this persecution but calling on all concerned to correct this abnormality and travesty immediately,” he said.

ACIPA further alleged that Northern Christians had long suffered exclusion in employment, education, and appointments, despite repeated government denials.

“Despite government’s denial of persecution and systematic marginalisation 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,” the statement read.

The association urged religious and traditional leaders, civil society groups, and the international community to intervene and demand fairness in federal appointments.

“ACIPA is calling on all advocates against persecution and injustice to rise to the occasion and call the authorities to order. This travesty, which has almost become a norm, is no longer acceptable,” it concluded.

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