By Levinus Nwabughiogu

ABUJA—President Muhammadu Buhari has reassured Nigerians of equal treatment, irrespective of tribe and religion.

This is even as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday in Abuja expressed fears over the ability of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to deliver on Public, Private partnership, PPP, projects in the country.

President Buhari while receiving the Executive Committee Members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)- 19 Northern States and Abuja at the State House on 2nd November, 2016.

The President, who noted that the oath of office he swore would compel him to do so, stated this at a meeting with the Executive Committee members of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, from 19 Northern states and Abuja, at State House, Abuja, yesterday.

This is, however, not the first time the President is making the pledge, as he had earlier done so on October 7, 2016, when he received Sheikh Abdul-Muhsin Muhammad Al-Qassimi, Imam of the Mosque of the Holy Prophet in Medina, Saudi Arabia, at State House.

He said:  “God knows best- a population of 180 million people, comprising more than 300 ethnic groups, many of them with cultural ties stronger than religion, can only co-exist peacefully in an atmosphere of social justice.

‘’I pray that God gives us the courage to be fair to people he put in our charge so that we can enjoy his mercy.”

The President promised to restore peace to all parts of the country, adding that all enforcement agencies had been directed to combat all forms of violent crimes and ensure people lived in peace.

President Buhari urged the clerics to promote religious harmony, by “enhancing understanding among different faiths.”

He also disclosed that the government would maintain the priority it had placed on agriculture, mines and steel development to kick-start the economy.

Leader of the delegation and chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern states, Rev. Yakubu Pam, said God might have deliberately chosen Buhari to lead the country at these challenging times.

“We are ready to support your administration to deliver good governance. You have good intentions for Nigeria, judging from the programmes that have been outlined,” Rev. Pam said.

He also commended the President for for dealing a blow to Boko Haram insurgents to engender relative peace in the North East, return of 21 abducted schoolgirls from Chibok, and the anti-corruption war which, he urged, should be fought to a logical conclusion.

Speaking to State House correspondents where he highlighted the ethno-religious challenges in the country, freedom of worship, and herdsmen/farmers’ clashes in their discussion with the President, the CAN leader also appealed to Buhari to intervene in the abduction of young Christian girls in the north, some of whom were married to emirs.