…As ACF Chieftain faults ‘talk-down’ politics
Amid renewed debates over Nigeria’s security situation and the tone of national political discourse, prominent northern leaders have cautioned against both premature celebration of security gains and sustained negative narratives about the country’s future.
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has warned that Nigeria is yet to attain real peace, despite claims of relative improvements in some areas.
Speaking during an interview at his residence in Kaduna yesterday, shortly after receiving an Award of Excellence from the Northern Christian Youth Professionals, Hayab said the continued abduction of citizens shows there is “no cause for celebration yet”.
According to him, any award or recognition given to Nigerians or government officials should serve as a reminder to intensify efforts against insecurity rather than a basis for self-congratulation. “There is nothing to dance about while innocent citizens are still in captivity and criminal elements continue to operate freely from the bush”, he said.
While acknowledging pockets of relative peace, the cleric warned that recent attacks underline how fragile the gains remain. He stressed that partial success is not enough and urged the government to translate security claims into lasting reality. “What we are seeing now is a test of our commitment. We must prove to the world that we are serious about peace”, Hayab said.
He assured that Christian communities in the North would remain committed to peace and co-existence, even in the face of threats, while urging believers to combine faith with wisdom. He cautioned against what he described as blind faith, insisting that spiritual confidence must go hand in hand with practical personal and community safety measures.
The Northern CAN chairman also disclosed that spiritual, humanitarian and trauma-healing support is being quietly extended to victims of insecurity, including abductees, escapees and affected communities. He explained that such interventions are often kept out of the public eye to avoid escalating demands from criminal groups, with a focus on rehabilitation, healing and reintegration.
Explaining the rationale for the award, the National Chairman of the Northern Christian Youth Professionals, Isaac Abrack, said Hayab was honoured for his courage and consistency in promoting interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence in Kaduna State and across Northern Nigeria.
In a related intervention on national leadership and political discourse, former Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Anthony Sani, criticised what he described as years of negative messaging about Nigeria by some political figures and their supporters.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on January 17, 2026, Sani took aim at the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi and sections of his support base, arguing that no country entrusts leadership to individuals who consistently portray it as hopeless.
According to him, sustained “talk-down” narratives damage Nigeria’s image at home and abroad and undermine the confidence required for national leadership.
Sani stressed that political ambition comes with responsibility, particularly in how aspirants speak about the country. He said successful leaders in Nigeria’s democratic history criticised constructively while still projecting confidence in the nation’s future. “You cannot spend years talking down on Nigeria and suddenly expect to be handed power”, he said, adding that leadership must be built on hope, unity and solutions, not despair.
The elder statesman also criticised the conduct of some political supporters linked to IPOB-style rhetoric, accusing them of intolerance, online abuse and ethnic insults. He argued that such behaviour reflects an inability to persuade Nigerians through ideas and respectful engagement, and questioned how any movement displaying hostility toward fellow citizens could expect to gain nationwide trust.
Sani concluded that anyone seeking to lead Nigeria must prioritise national unity and the country’s international image, insisting that leadership must be earned through inclusive dialogue, mutual respect and confidence in Nigeria’s future.
