…Sultan: CAN’s claim false and partial
…You’re far from the truth, CAN replies
…Gives examples of Christian persecution in Nigeria
By Ezeocha Nzeh
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN and Sultan of Sokoto are in sharp disagreement over the recent position of the United States of American on the alleged intolerance of religious freedom and persecution against the government of Nigeria.
While CAN, which is the umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria had backed the recent classification of Nigeria by US as a nation that tolerates religious persecution, the Sultan of Sokoto while speaking at the closing ceremony of the 77th annual Islamic Vacation Course in Kano, expressed shock at CAN’s position.
The Sultan argued that if such persecution really exists, it was supposed to have been tabled at the Interfaith Forum which he co-chairs with the CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle.
But while responding to the Sultan’s position, Vice Chairman of CAN (Northern Region), Rev. John Hayab, regretted that the Sultan has chosen to be very far from the truth, claiming that CAN has evidence which point to religious persecution in the country
Rev Hayab noted that such evidences can be seen in the imbalance of political and economic power in the country under the present administration.
He went further to accuse the Muslim leader of treating the numerous petition on religious persecution before him at meetings of the Nigerian Interreligious Council, NIREC with indifference.
“With all due respect, we believe the Muslim leader is living in denial on the issue of persecution of Christians in this country. “We have presented several petitions before the Sultan of Sokoto on religious persecution but what has he done?
“We brought to his notice in NIREC; the issue of ban on the teaching of Christian Religious Knowledge in secondary schools in the north. What did he do?
“We also presented before him cases where Christians who want to buy land in some northern communities are compelled to sign documents stating that they would not use the property for church activities or for hotel services. What has he done about it?
“Even the very act of comparing church activities with hotel services is not just a form of persecution but an insult aimed at Christian. “Is it the issue of cabinet appointments in state executive councils? There are Christians and Muslims among the Fulanis, the Hausas and other minority tribes in the North. But, how many governors can boast of cabinets that are fair and balanced in terms of religious representation? Is the Sultan not aware of the nepotism?
“Similar religious nepotism is also witnessed in the offer of state jobs, admissions into tertiary institutions, and awards of contracts. Does the Sultan of Sokoto not consider these happenings as religious persecution?
“Was he not aware that Leah Sharibu’s was not negotiated by the Federal Government on account of her refusal to renounce her Christian faith? Whereas, the same government activated all its diplomatic resources to ensure the freedom of the daughter of a prominent Muslim faithful whose daughter was accused of drug peddling in Saudi Arabia.” Hayab queried.
But the Sultan while speaking at the closing ceremony of 77th annual Islamic vacation course (IVC) organised by the Muslim Society of Nigeria (MSSN) at Bayero University, Kano, expressed shock at the CAN position, insisting that it is “false and partial”.
He maintained that the activities of Fulani herdsmen were not religion-based “because not all Fulanis are Muslims”.
“If such persecution really exists, such is supposed to be tabled at the Interfaith Forum where Muslims and Christians leaders meet periodically to discuss issues that would promote harmonious coexistence between the two religions,” Abubakar said.
