Group blames Religious leaders for crisis in Nigeria

By: Victor Ulasi, Nigeria

Forum of Northern leaders of Nigeria, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna state, condemned former military officers and religious leaders on the plateau state religious crisis, stating that they had failed in restoring peace in Jos and her environs.

The ACF in a communiqué signed by the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Amb. Ladan Abdullahi Shuni , issued to newsmen at the end of the joint meeting of Board of Trustees (BOT) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) ,said the very sad events that took place in Jos and other parts of Plateau were discussed with a heavy heart, however no action were taken to resolve the issue.

The meeting noted with deep distress that wanton destruction of lives and property in senseless communal violence that have persisted despite all attempts to stamping it out. It was also with great concern that it received cross allegations of partnership against the security agencies drafted to stop the killings and rioting,.

ACF believes that these allegations only go to demonstrate how deep emotions are running and how far apart communities have gone from one another as a result of these sectarian conflict. It regretted that so far, nothing that the authorities, as federal or state levels have done or said to have done, have past proved adequate to prevent recurrence of the violence as we have seen last week. On the contrary, the carnage get more bloody and more frightening. The meeting regretted that the security situation in Plateau state has continued and religious elders, including very senior retired military officers as well as other political leaders.

ACF urges federal government to make good on its promise to investigate, prosecute and met out stiff punishment to all persons, no matter their social or political status, who masterminded, carried out, aided or abetted the violence, without any delay.

While the leaders of the meeting were deliberating on the freedom of movement of Nigerian citizens, they called on the federal and state governments do everything in their power to enforce the Constitution of Nigeria, particularly laws guaranteeing Nigerian Citizens freedom to move and settle in any part of the country.

The federal authorities were also summoned to hold officials of state and local authorities responsible for the enforcement of the laws guaranteeing freedom of movement and settlement to all Nigerians within their domain. Such authorities shall bear personal responsibility for nay acts of commission, omission or dereliction of duty leading to breakdown of law and order in their domain.

The meeting further urged Nigerians everywhere, particularly political and traditional leaders to uphold the sanctity of our constitution and rededicate themselves to the rule of law, order and security for every citizen; it urges return of the culture of good family values, honesty in public office and politics of integrity.

To this end, two panels were setup, one Technical Committee to study and understand the underlying causes of the animosity and hate that divides the ethnic/religious groups in Plateau state, Nigeria. This is to enable ACF broker peace and reconciliation among the various groups. It’s also appointed an Elders Committee to go to the state and offer the Forum’s condolences, sympathies and relief aid to the victims of the conflict.

Posted by worldnews on February 7, 2010. Filed under Health and Living,Human Interest,International News,WorldNewsVine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.