By Ademola Adekusibe
28th November 2025
A coalition of Northern clerics has accused the Federal Government of religious discrimination in the recent appointment of Permanent Secretaries, alleging that a Christian candidate who scored 83 percent in the selection interview was bypassed for a Muslim candidate who scored 54 percent.
The allegation was made by the Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association, ACIPA, in an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Justice, and the leadership of the National Assembly. The letter, dated November 6, 2025, was signed by the association’s Chairman, Rev. (Dr) Luke Shehu.
ACIPA said it was concerned that the decision undermined merit in federal appointments and reinforced what it described as a long-standing pattern of marginalisation of Northern Christians in public service recruitment, scholarships, and promotions.
According to the group, the candidate who topped the interview was a Christian from the North East, but his name was removed from the final list. It alleged that Mohammed Musa Isiyaku, who scored 54 percent and placed fifth, was announced as Permanent Secretary by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on November 4, 2025.
The association further claimed it was aware of plans to proceed with the swearing-in of the lower-ranked candidate and called for the process to be halted immediately.
ACIPA said its intervention was driven by a commitment to justice and fairness rather than confrontation, adding that religious imbalance in appointments could deepen divisions in the country if not addressed.
The group urged religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to speak against what it described as institutionalised discrimination in public service appointments.
Copies of the petition were also sent to ministers, lawmakers, security agencies, monarchs, and various indigenous organisations, as ACIPA sought broader support to push for a review of the appointment process.
