The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), Sunday, called on the Federal government to critically examine the current agitation for the republic of Biafra and give the agitators a fair hearing.
In a communique signed and issued in Abuja by its chairman, Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN) after the forum meeting in Jos, Plateau State recently, the NCEF, however, said it was not in support of any action capable of causing the disunity and disintegration of the country.
“While the National Christian Elders Forum frowns at, and discountenances any move towards secession by any group in the nation, it firmly believes that the grievances of the agitators for Biafra Republic should be examined and the people should be given a fair hearing.
“It was noted that since the return to democracy in 1999, there has been no such widespread agitation
until now,” it stated.
Also, Asemota wondered why it is only one section of the country with Muslim background that is qualified to be the Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), calling on government to look into the matter.
“The Christian Elders also observe with much concern the impression that is created in the Judiciary that only persons from a section of the country are qualified to be the Chief Justice of the Federation.
“That the Nigerian Judiciary has been garrisoned by a section of the country and a religion is no longer in doubt, however, the dismantling of this anomaly is expedient. Nigeria can only survive and thrive on a tripod of Justice, Equality, and Fairness.”
Speaking further, Asemota said: “The Christian Elders wonder why in a divergent and pluralistic society, such as Nigeria, all the critical security institutions in the nation are headed by people from one section of the country. The Minister of Defense, the Director-General of Department of State Security (DSS), the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the Minister of Interior, are all from one section of the country and are adherents of the same religion.
“The Christian Elders decry the violation of the Federal Character principle in sensitive Federal appointments by the current administration. This discriminatory anomaly should be reversed without delay,” the statement added.
“The Forum enjoins all Christians in the nation to adhere to the Biblical injunction of “follow peace with all men”. While Christians are urged to remain peace loving and shun any act of provocation, it has become necessary to advise Christian communities to evolve means of “self defense” to ensure self-preservation.
“The impunity and lawlessness with which religious extremists seek to exterminate Christians should be checked, more so, since the security agents seem helpless to apprehend these “unknown gunmen,” they said.
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