The Northern Elders Forum has described as “sudden and unjustified” the removal of Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrimage Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam.
President Bola Tinubu had in January sacked Pam and appointed the Bishop of the Diocese of Ikeja, Methodist Church Nigeria, and Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, Dr Stephen Adegbite, as the new Executive Secretary.
The President also approved the appointment of nine Nigerians to serve on the NCPC board with Colonel Aloche Adole as the chairman, a decision which attracted controversy.
The ex-NCPC boss was appointed on July 4, 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari and spent three years in office before his removal.
The NEF, in a statement signed by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, on Saturday said Pam’s removal did not follow “due process.”
According to apex Northern Forum, the removal lacked of transparency and accountability as Pam was not allowed to complete his tenure.
It read, “The Northern Elders Forum is deeply troubled by the recent removal of Rev Yakubu Pam from his position as Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrimage Commission. The sudden and unjustified nature of this decision has raised serious concerns within the Northern Christian and Muslim communities.
“Rev Pam, who has diligently served in this role for the past three years, was removed from his position without following due process. NEF is particularly alarmed by the lack of transparency and accountability in this decision, as Reverend Pam was not allowed to complete his tenure.
“The manner in which Reverend Pam was treated by his replacement is also troubling. Reports suggest that his belongings were callously thrown out of the office, causing him humiliation and disrespect. NEF condemns this behavior and demands that Reverend Pam be treated with the dignity and respect he deserves.”
It further reads, “NEF questions the decision to appoint someone from Lagos to replace Reverend Pam, the only top position given to the Northern Christian community.
“This raises concerns about the representation of Northern Christians in key leadership positions within the government.”
Efforts to get the spokesperson NCPC, Celestine Toruka, proved abortive as his lines did not connect or were switched off.
