The first major manifestation of religious politics’
coordinated attack on the nation was the Maitasine episode in parts of northern
Nigeria and the March 1987 religious riots in Kaduna State. The political
crises of 1965 in the West and violence which greeted the 1983 general
elections in the country are all good examples of the adverse impacts of
religious politics. In fact, the events which led to the Nigerian Civil War of
1967 to 1970 were not unconnected with this monster.
The fears being expressed by concerned Nigerians and
true friends of Nigeria is the danger of the country being torn apart if the
various appearances of intolerance are not properly contained?
Importantly, there is urgent need for the Federal
Government of Nigeria to de-emphasize religion from the nation’s body politics.
Our political leaders want to make heaven(?), no doubt about that, but not in that
red gown dotted here and there with stains of corruption; and definitely, not
by turning the Presidential Villa into a Church or Mosque. Religion must be
separated from politics if Nigeria must move forward.
The emergency
of Boko Haram in Nigeria is traceable to the making of provisions for Sharia
Laws and Courts in the country’s Constitution and availability of army of
unemployed and frustrated youths. In Northern Nigeria there are numerous Muslim
groups, which want to introduce Sharia in the whole country. In the States of
the North these demands was fully implemented between 1999 and 200in the following
nine states namely: Zamfara, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kabbi,
and Yobe; while Sharia became valid for areas with a mainly Muslim population
in Kaduna, Niger, and Gombe States within the same period; thus, making Nigeria
a country with double standards federal laws. This is not the way to Go-On-With-One-Nigeria
(GOWON) which we pledge to. Mr. President, Nigeria is drifting. Sum up the
political will to arrest the situation in the interest of NIGERIA, the most
populous black nation which blacks all over the world are looking up to.
This lopsidedness in our management of religious affairs, and tactical Islamization of Nigeria did not start today. It was spearheaded by former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida when he smuggled Nigeria into the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the G8 Islamic Countries in 1986. The process of Islamizing the country was further re-enforced and cemented by former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he approved the Sharia or Islamic legal system for the country in 1999.
But, come to think of it, when Christians in this
country argued that since Sharia is given a place in the Constitution,
provisions should also be made for Ecclesiastical Laws and Courts, nobody cares
to listen.
The northern leaders, led by the northern oligarchy,
believe that they own Nigeria and must therefore have their way always. The
result is where we are today, in a dilemma. No doubt the threat from northern
elders directed at Mr. President’s 2015 election’s bid is already making him nervous;
the stance of the military top brass on Boko Haram’s amnesty has also left him
more confused; coupled with the guns that are booming from both the creeks and
the deserts. Mr. President must work very hard to keep the country intact
beyond 2015.
Boko Haram has capitalized on the confusion already
generated by poor management of religious politics to call, or embark on jihad,
for the replacement of western education with Islamic education in Nigeria; establishment
of Sharia or the Islamic legal system in the whole of Nigeria; dismantling of
democracy and the enthronement of Islamic style of governance. That is, total Islamizing
of Nigeria.
The truth about Nigeria’s religious predicament is
that it is the imported religions that have so far created much of the troubles
in the country. The Nigerian ruling elites, who immersed this country in
corruption, bribery, and outright looting of public treasury and other vices,
are the products of these imported religions. Of course, yes, our Churches and
Mosques do not encourage these vices, but the Nigerian ruling elites are
worshippers in these holy places. Therefore, if Nigeria is to be salvaged
through the Churches and Mosques, the lessons taught in these holy places and
the methods of imparting them must be reversed or possibly, demystified and
made more relevant to the moral and ethical needs of Nigeria through
appropriate legislation. This is where the National Assembly must play its role
to save Nigeria from the missiles pouring on the country at the instances of
these religious opportunists who are bent on killing Nigeria.
The interest of the country should be uppermost in
all our religious activities and dealings. Nigeria is a multi-religious society.
Therefore, it is not advisable to create pockets of privileges for any
particular religion. Because, doing so opens up the floodgates of impossible
demands as we are witnessing today. The Federal Government of Nigeria should
avoid the danger of fractionalizing Nigeria on the banner of religion by
de-emphasizing religion from government processes. Religion should remain
personal affairs of the individual without government imposing any hindrances
or attaching any special privileges thereto so far it is practice within the
obit of the Constitution and Common Law of Nigeria.
In all these aspects, education has very prominent
roles to play. We must divorce religion from politics, we must endeavour to
eradicate the culture of violence from the system and we must be trained to
extol the culture of a commitment to the rules of political game and must learn
to follow due process of law to redress our grievances.
Above all, there is urgent need to consider
regulating religious activities as this has caused the nation more harm than
good especially in the areas of inciting violence, shedding of innocent blood
and destruction of valuable properties.
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