Nigerian Pastors Demand for Christian Speaker Position in 10th NASS

A group of pastors and bishops from Abuja convened to urge Federal lawmakers-elect and the All Progressive Congress to prioritize balance and equity in the leadership of the 10th National Assembly. They emphasized the importance of appointing Christians to the positions of Speaker of the Senate and House of Representatives, citing the need for religious diversity in key roles.

The Nigeria Coalition of Pastors for Good Leadership, led by Apostle Babatunde Oguntimehin, emphasized that with the President and Vice-President both belonging to the same religion, it’s crucial to ensure representation for Christians in other significant positions of power.

While the APC had already announced Senator Godwin Akpabio as its consensus candidate for Senate presidency and Senator Jibrin Barau as the next Deputy Senate President, the pastors reiterated their commitment to supporting candidates who align with their values. They expressed previous support for Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, citing his suitability for leadership based on his track record.

Oguntimehin stressed the importance of balance in leadership and urged lawmakers and the APC to consider their plea for Christian representation in the National Assembly’s top positions. Though they refrained from endorsing specific candidates for the speakership position, they called for fairness and inclusivity to ensure hope for Nigerian Christians.