Kogiflame
The National Coordinator of the Young Christian Democrats (YCD), Mr. Ezekiel Dinfa, has said that only a Northern Christian President can guarantee the protection and security of Northern Christians who, for decades, have lived under the threat of extremist violence.
Dinfa made the statement while reacting to comments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his recent visit to Jos, Plateau State. Tinubu had urged Christian Northerners to support him, citing his respect for religious freedom and the fact that his wife is a pastor.
In his response, Dinfa said such remarks failed to address the reality of what Northern Christians face. “This is not the time for that kind of statement President Tinubu made,” he said. “Even Southern Christians do not understand what we are going through. Only a Northern Christian does.”
He stated that the YCD has already identified a suitable candidate in Dr. Joel Gbenga Hashim, who he described as a capable and visionary leader running on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Dr. Hashim is a successful entrepreneur, a founding member of the PDP, and a man who understands both national security and economics,” Dinfa said. “He is a fair-minded democrat who will also protect Muslims because, like many Northern Christians, he has Muslim roots.”
According to Dinfa, Dr. Hashim embodies unity and balance, given his Northern and Southern heritage. “Like our own son from Plateau, General Yakubu Gowon, who kept Nigeria together during the civil war, Dr. Hashim has the ability to manage Nigeria’s diversity. Many of the current aspirants do not even understand the country they want to lead,” he added.
Dinfa concluded that the time has come for Northern Christians to rally behind one of their own who truly understands their challenges and can lead the country with fairness and inclusion.
