A Non-Governmental Organization – The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria has cautioned the Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN] over what it called CAN’s religious intolerance, fanaticism and insensitivity over the issue of insecurity in Nigeria.
In a strongly-worded Press Statement issued today after its one-day meeting held in Abuja yesterday, the Group described as false and untrue the statement credited to the President of CAN -Archbishop Daniel Okoh in Jos on Tuesday this week that ‘there is christian genocide in Nigeria’
In its reaction signed by its National Missioner of the Group Sheikh Abu Sheriff, the Group described CAN’s reaction as act of dishonesty and blackmail.
The Group said to turn insecurity affecting citizens of Nigeria irrespective religious affiliation to christian genocide is to play religious politics’ that is too dirty and which is antithetical to teachings of Jesus Christ; whom muslim believed was a Prophet of God who never preached such a reckless and baseless doctrine’.
He condemned the address of Bishop Daniel Okoh in Jos, which he described as provocative and condemnable as it was full of falsehood and dishonesty.
The Group maintained that insecurity leading to killings in Benue and Plateau States were as a result farmer/herders clashes, boundary disagreements, criminality and intra ethnic rivalry which Federal and States Governments have never relented in addressing.
The Islamic Organization explained that the CAN President is failing as a Leader if he is addressing the casualty of christians only without addressing that of muslims who are had the largest number of victims in all the crises so far.
The Group reiterated the stand of the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria as pronounced by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs [NSCIA] that ‘what is happening in Nigeria is persistent insecurity in which Muslims who are in overwhelming majority have condemned and commended the efforts of the Military and other Security Organizations on their efforts to fight the violent crimes.
MMWG also condemned the kidnapping of 25 students of Government Comprehensive Science Secondary School in Maga Kebbi State and the attack of CAC Church in Eruku – Kwara State and pointed out that while almost all the 25 kidnapped students in Kebbi State are Muslims, the 2 victims of Kwara Church attack are Christians.
The Group said in these circumstances, Religious Leaders ought to speak as patriotic citizens rather than being sentimental or narrow-minded while commenting on issues.
The Group urged CAN Leadership to emulate the Sultan of Sokoto & President-General NSCIA who demonstrates theoretically and practically his love for this beloved Country by being honest, amiable and dedicated to the love and affection for citizens of this Country irrespective of religious affiliation.
The Media Group therefore condemned the endorsement of the false reports narrated by some people to USA President Donald Trump by CAN and said if certain individuals among them pursued individual and selfish Agenda capable of destabilizing Nigeria, CAN as a Religious Body ought to behave responsibly by distinctly distancing themselves and by saying the truth instead of justifying unpatriotic act that could put the Nation in danger.
MMWG said it is worrisome to note that CAN had been silent for some years on the killings of innocent Igbo people in the South Eastern States by the banned Indigenous People of Biafra [IPOB] and Eastern Security Network [ESN] under the Leadership of Maazi Nnamdi Kanu over the enforcement of their illegal ‘Sit at home order on Mondays.
It stated that in that part of the Country ‘christians were killing christians’ and CAN remained silent; instead it was accusing the Federal Government of doing nothing.
The Media Group however commended notable Nigerian Christians for saying the truth instead of CAN that it said ‘its playing dirty religious politics with the insecurity problems facing the Country!
The Group listed few of the christian leaders in Nigeria who spoke the truth and described them as real patriotic citizens to include a Professor of Political Science & Former Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kayode Soremekun, SAN, Retired Rear-Admiral Ferguson Bobai, several other Senior Advocates of Nigeria including Mr. Femi Falana. Others include Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode and Mr. Reno Omokhir to mention just a few.
The Group maintained that it took the FG sometimes to fight members of the banned IPOB and ESN that were rampaging and burning INEC Offices, vehicles, computers, photocopiers and other valuable equipment across 5 Eastern States for peace to return to the Region.
The Media Group elucidated that the same FG that did that is now being accused of doing nothing’ whereas the FG sustained peace in that territory for all elections to hold till date even though the separatists movements have threatened that it would not be possible.
While praising the FG on its efforts in fighting insecurity so far, the Group urged the Federal Government to look into allegation security organizations not acting on intelligence being received as well as alleged inflitration of boko-haram and terrorists into the Military set-up and deal urgently and decisively on the matters.
The Group called on the Nigerian Military and other Security Agencies to intensify their effort to fight insecurity fearlessly as the defence budget remained the highest annually by FG for the purpose of doing the needful; stating further that the increased budgetary allocation must be justified.
