The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday said the appointment of principal officers of the National Assembly must be free from marginalisation along religious lines.
The group’s call is coming ahead of the inauguration of the ninth Assembly.
It stressed that the placement of officers must be done in the interest of equity, justice and fair play as enshrined in the nation’s constitution.
The group specifically appealed to the incoming legislators to field a Christian as Senate President or Speaker to address “the religious dichotomy.”
In a statement in Abuja on monday, CAN President Rev. Samson Ayokunle said the association’s quest became imperative due to the existence of a Muslim president as head of the executive arm of government and another Muslim as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.
“Our appeal is to let either the Senate President or the Speaker be a Christian. This will give all Nigerians a sense of belonging, irrespective of their religious affiliations. We, from the Christian Association of Nigeria, recognise the importance of the National Assembly to the stability and growth of our polity,” he said.
Ayokunle observed that although both the Senate and House of Representatives have several principal officers, the association’s focus was on the positions of Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
According to him, since 1999, the pattern has been that when the Senate President is a Christian, a Muslim holds the office of Speaker and vice versa. He said this also applies to their deputies.
“A critical study of Chapter 14 (13 and 14) of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) underscores this truth. CAN calls on the Ninth National Assembly members to address both the religious and the north and south dichotomies in the interest of equity, justice and fair play. We assure our lawmakers of our prayers as they make laws for the peace, order and good government of the federation.
“In as much as we agree that merit should not be sacrificed in every appointment, there are Christians who are equally credible and capable of running the affairs of the National Assembly and other key positions in government if given the opportunity. Those who have and are still serving in one office or the other are our living proofs,” he said
