The National Christian Elders Forum NCEF which is
an affiliate body of the Christian Association of
Nieria CAN, yesterday expressed worry over the
fact that more Muslims occupy positions in the
Security and Intelligence committee of the Federal
government. In a statement signed by the NCEF Chairman, Solomon Asemota and released
yesterday, the group alleged that Nigeria is an
Islamic state which is contrary to Section 10 of the
Nigerian constitution. The Elders in their statement
expressed worries over the recent attacks meted
on Christians in most parts in the North. There is a bill now pending before the National
Assembly, titled “NGO Regulatory Bill” intended to
silence NGO’s including the Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN). It is not in dispute that Nigeria is an
Islamic State contrary to Section 10 of the
Constitution. What is in dispute is whether Nigeria is ruled by mainstream Muslims or by Islamist
Jihadists.
We plead with the Sultan to appreciate that Nigeria
is safer and more peaceful when the Government
of the Federation or of a State does not adopt any
religion as State Religion. It is as a result of the
understanding (or lack of it) of civilized Jihad that
we are apprehensive of those in the “Security and Intelligence Committee” of the Federal
Government by some unexplained reasons are
mainly Muslims. President Buhari, (Muslim), Chief of
Defense (Christian), Chief of Army Staff, Chief of air
Staff, Minister of Defense, Minister of Internal
Affairs, Inspector General of Police, National Security Adviser, Director General of DSS are all
Muslims from the North. We are not too sure
whether the Vice President is a member of this
Committee following information that he was once
excluded from the meeting the President called.
When the Vice President summoned the same
meeting in the absence of President Buhari who
was away in the UK, there was resistance and the
meeting had to end abruptly. The conclusion
which we, Christians, draw is that jihad is being
committed against our country, Nigeria, especially when the cohesive instrument of state is in the
hands of three ethnic nationalities and one
religion. This enlists fear in the minds of the
populace, especially Christians”the elders said.
They also condemned the recent arrest and
arraignment of Joachim Chinakwe Iroko for
naming his dog Buhari. “Chinakwe was picked up
again based on Police belief that the suspect’s
action was capable of provoking an ethno-
religious crisis. Because the complainant and his group have threatened to kill him if he comes back
and this may happen.
If Nigeria is being run as a secular State, the
Constitution in Sections 10, 37, and 38 guarantees
right of private and family life, freedom of
Thought, Conscience and Religion that should
protect Joe Chinakwe and the Complainant would
have been arrested but because Nigeria is an Islamic State, Joe Chinakwe has to face trial in the
process promoting; the most effective way to get
rid of critics is to instill fear in ordinary Nigerians,”
the statement said
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