With the current development in Nigeria ever since President
Buhari took over power, it is becoming apparent that the subtle move to islamise
the country is gradually coming to actualisation under Buhari who is a well-known
advocate of Islam.
On Thursday, the apex Christian organisation in Nigeria, the
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) released a statement condemning the
appointment of the governor of Nigeria’s central bank as leader of the
International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILMC).
While speaking, the Association’s president, Samson
Ayokunle, condemned and described such an appointment unconstitutional and not
welcomed by the Nigerian people, thus making it null and void.
CAN explained that the government’s decision to accept the
appointment amounted to denouncing Nigeria as a secular state, in negation of
section 10 of the 1999 constitution.
“There have been reports that the IILMC recently appointed
the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele as its
Chairman during its 17th Governing Board meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“Section 10 states that The Government of the Federation or
a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion. This action by
Nigeria’s government is in clear negation of the constitution, especially this
section,” the statement said.
Recall that earlier on CAN had accused the government of
planning to make the country an Islamic state.
“What is Nigeria doing in Islamic and Shariah compliant
organization? Who authorized the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to
join this organization? What provision of our constitution supports our
membership of a religious association as a secular state?
“When did the National Assembly pass the law to do away with
our secular status? When did our Constitution change to allow this alliance
that seems to portray Nigeria as Islamic? Is the National Assembly aware of all
the treaties regarding these Islamic organizations to which Nigeria is now a
member?
“Do we need to repeat our concern that almost all the heads
of security paramilitary agencies in Nigeria today are Muslims as if Christians
have become second class citizens or rather lack competent officers to be in
charge! Has Nigeria become an Islamic state?,” CAN queried.
“This is not the Nigeria dreamt of by our founding fathers
and it is high time the government woke up to its constitutional
responsibilities.
“Christians have equal rights with our Muslim counterparts
since the 1999 Constitution recognizes the multiplicity of religions and we
will no longer pretend as if all is well with Nigeria.
“Let it be stressed here that we love our Muslim brothers
and sisters in this nation and we are aware that we cannot do without one
another.
“However, we need to drum it loud to the ears of this
present administration to always consider our plural state in terms of
ethnicity and religion and ensure balance not only on the issue of appointments
but on other issues which would continue to portray the government as being
partisan towards one particular religion.”
Mr. Emefiele was delegated pioneer of the IILMC on December
15 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
As expressed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, on its site,
"IILMC is a global foundation built up by central banks' fiscal powers and
multilateral associations to make and issue transient Shari'ah-consistent money
related instruments to encourage successful cross-fringe Islamic liquidity
administration. By making more liquid Shari'ah-consistent money related markets
for foundations offering Islamic financial services (IIFS), the IILMC means to
improve cross-border speculation streams, global linkages and monetary
dependability.
The body's significant orders incorporate building up a
vigorous Islamic liquidity administration as an impetus for cross-border
monetary linkages and encouraging compelling cross-border liquidity
administration instruments for foundations that offers Islamic money related
arrangement.
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