By Michael West

Nigeria is a blessed nation. Both in human and natural resources, we are still the giant of the black world. As it is common to many African societies, we are facing more of self-inflicted problems than external.

The more reason only bare-faced truth and dispassionate opinions on issues of national interest can sustain the unity of our nation. While we are currently preoccupied with the economic issues, political permutations for 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari’s recuperating health, the Biafra agitation, the looming federal cabinet reshuffle, the resurgent Boko Haram and spate of industrial disputes by different workers’ unions over wages, I chose to focus on a simmering intellectual and political jihad that is gradually sweeping Nigeria off her feet: the Islamisation of Nigeria. Its twin evil, nepotism, is equally endemic as aptly demonstrated in the style of appointments by the current administration.

Boko Haram member

This article will boldly expose the naked injustice and grand plots to foist Islam on the rest of us using the instrumentality of the state. Let me state here that I have respect for Islam as a religion of good people but the unconstitutional and systematic imposition of Islam is real! I’m sure patriotic Muslims won’t subscribe to government’s surreptitious moves as such will ultimately breed discord, mutual suspicion and religious hostility among Nigerians.

Nigeria is a secular state; this is according to our Constitution. Hence, the country should distant itself from core religious activities capable of undermining her internal security and compromising her unity, independence, and sovereignty.

I think we embraced religion as part of our natural rights because freedom of association permits us to socialize, gather together and worship unhindered. However, accepting Christianity and Islam as the dominant religions in Nigeria does not wish away our constitutional status as a secular state.

Secularity in its meaning implies not practicing or adopting any form of religion as state religion. The running of the government business should be free of any particular religious tenets or formats. Thus far, this has not been adhered to.

One thing I often find difficult to unravel is the flagrant and insensitive manner in which leaders from the North do act, not considering the feelings of the other component members of the country; especially in political appointments and promotions in public service by pandering to religious and ethnic preferences.

I think we need to ask why we allowed the inclusion of Sharia in our Constitution in the first place. Who smuggled it in? Why did we not insist on the reversal of Nigeria’s membership of the Organization of Islamic States (OIC), which the Babangida regime imposed on us in 1986? Why the gradual but consistent moves by every successive regime headed by northern Muslims to expand the frontiers of Islam through the use of State apparatuses and resources to the disadvantage of other religions and the non-Muslim majority Nigerians? Most of the juicy, sensitive and strategic public or political appointments are usually the exclusive preserves of the Muslims, especially those from the North.

Another brazen constitutional affront ever witnessed in this country was the proclamation of Sharia Law as state legal code for some states in the North as was pioneered by Zamfara State during the Ahmed Yerima administration as governor in 2000. By this, Islam became the official religion of those states. Meanwhile, Section 10 of the Constitution specifies that “The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion.” Making any set of religious rules to equate as State laws, technically, makes that religion the State religion, which is an action that negates constitutional provisions.

Conversely, when a federal lawmaker proposed a Bill for Ecclesiastical (Christian) courts, pronto, leaders of the Islamic faith spat fire. According to the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Christian court idea was a recipe for anarchy and should be stopped in the interest of the nation! He added that no informed Christian would agitate for Christian courts because Muslims had Shariah courts!! Hmmm!!! So, what is good for Muslims is not good for Christians or any other religion in Nigeria?

Meanwhile, the proposed bill for a Christian Court sponsored by Hon. Gyang Dung (PDP) from Plateau State and eight other members of the House of Representatives has scaled the second reading.

*To be continued

*West, a Media Consultant, wrote via mikeawe@yahoo.co.uk