CONFLICT OF IDEOLOGIES AS THE GREATEST OBSTACLE TO PEACE, UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press,
A few weeks ago, the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) issued a
statement titled THE NEED TO PRESERVE THE PEACE AND UNITY OF NIGERIA. Of
concern to the Christian Elders is the deteriorating state of national
security, the free fall state of the economy, the inflammation of
religious tension through the misappropriation of state powers, a
worrisome foreign policy that is evidently skewed in favor of
Islamization, as well as the increasing impunity of the Fulani herdsmen,
amongst many other issues.
The National Christian Elders Forum was established by the Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN) to make statements in defense of
Christianity in Nigeria, as well as promote peace and unity among
Christians and Nigerians, as a whole. The NCEF is made up of Christian
Elders from the six geo-political zones in the country.
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4. ISSUES OF CONCERN
In the build up to the 2015 elections, majority of Nigerians
expressed great hope that there would be CHANGE in the nation. However,
ten months after the new government was sworn into office, credible
apprehension can be expressed given the policy direction of the new
administration. We hope that the buildup to these policies do not result
in full blown Sharia which President Muhammadu Buhari had promised
Muslims in Nigeria.
A number of worrisome issues readily come to mind:
a) The apparent disregard for the Constitution, by Mr. President
in many instances. For example, N900 billion was released in bailout
package for states without Appropriation, the government was run for
five months without a Cabinet, international commitment are being made
without recourse to the National Assembly. All these are acts violating
the Constitution.
b) Including Nigeria in the Saudi Arabia Military Coalition of
“Muslim/Arab” nations would appear that the Foreign Policy thrust of the
present administration is to make Nigeria a satellite state of Saudi
Arabia. The strengthening of the nation’s democracy and security for all
should remain the greatest priority of Government. This we see to have
been negated by the President’s fiat/unilateral decision to enlist
Nigeria in the 34 nations Muslim/Arab coalition. Given the emotive and
sensitive nature of this unilateral Executive decision, it should have
been handled by Mr. President in line with our democratic culture
through popular discussion and participation by the citizenry, or at the
very least, through the National Assembly.
c) Attempt to fund deficit in the 2016 Budget through issuance
of Sukkuk loan which is a “Sharia compliant loan.” Nigeria is not a
Sharia compliant nation.d) The consideration of establishing “free visa” arrangement with Islamic D8 nations. These countries are: Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkey, and of course, Nigeria.
e) The apparent Islamization of key security positions in the country.
f) The apparent disdain and contempt of Mr. President for Christians in Nigeria as demonstrated during his interview on Al – Jazeera on the objection of Christians to Nigeria’s involvement in the Saudi led Military Coalition to fight ISIS.
We wish to remind Mr. President that he was brought to power through
the votes of Nigerians, Christians inclusive. Mr. President should
kindly remember that the over 50% non-Muslims in Nigeria did not vote
for the nation to transmute into a Sharia compliant nation. Mr.
President assured Nigerians that he is “a convert” to democracy but we
are disturbed by the direction of his administration.
We are aware that there are presently Islamists in Government
prepared to execute the Islamization Agenda. Any nation in which
Islamists believe that they are sufficiently strong to exercise
influence rarely experience peaceful cohabitation amongst the divergent
groups within it. This is the current situation in Afghanistan,
Pakistan, Libya, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the Sudan.
Islamism thrives on injustice, inequality and unfairness. We urge
Nigerians to remain circumspect so that the Islamists do not drag the
nation down the path of destruction.
5. KADUNA STATE RELIGIOUS BILL
We wish to express tremendous shock at the proposed Kaduna State
Religious Bill. The proposed Bill contravenes Section 38 (1) of the 1999
Constitution. We should remind the Government of Kaduna State that
religion is personal and no one has the right to legislate on how
individuals worship. We call on the Kaduna State Governor to retrace his
steps from this ill-advised venture.
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