A Non- Governmental Organization – the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria [MMWG] has challenged Christian Leadership in Nigeria to caution its members including its Elders to refrain from fanning embers of religious fanaticism, hatred and parochialism as they are capable of causing religious disunity and tension.
In a strrongly-worded Press Statement signed by the National Secretary Dr. Nasir Balogun and Edo State Coordinator of the Group Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, the Group condemned the statement credited to one Dr. Samuel Danjuma Gani – Chairman of National Christian Elders Forum [NCEF] who criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for attending Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi-Arabia recently and described the criticism as ill-motivated, condemnable and irrational; adding that the presence of President Tinubu at the Summit was critical to the socio-economic development of Nigeria and absolutely necessary.
The Vanguard Newspaper [page 6] and some electronic media had carried the story today.
The Media Group condemned Samuel Gani for making such an inflammatory statement, adding that the ill-moved statement as such was aimed at re-‘opening an old wound’ which had been cured over 35 years sgo.
The Group called the attention of all patriotic Nigerians to the controversy of Nigeria’s membership of Organization of Islamic Conference [OIC] in late 80s that occured during Babangida’s Regime which had been resolved.
It said that Nigeria’s full membership of OIC since 1990 is irrevocable as the honour was conferred on Nigeria after serving in the observer status for 20 years [1969 to 1989] before being upgraded to full-nember status; adding that many Countries with less muslims population than Nigeria are Full-Members of OIC.
The Countries according to MMWG, include South America, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Gayana, Uganda, Togo, Gabon, Guinea, Chad, Benin and Ivory Coast just to mention a few, stating further that
General Yakubu Gowon [a christian] registered Nigeria as a Member of OIC in observer status since 1969.
On the secularity of Nigeria as a Nation, the Group pointed out that the attendance of Arab – Islamic Summit by President Tinubu has not in anyway infringed on that provision of the Section 10 of Nigeria’s Constitution, adding that Nigeria’s good relationship with Arab and Islamic World has not reduced its commitment to Israel and all christian Nations across the whole world.
The Media Group pointed out that Nigerian Leaders both Miltary and Civillians have for the past more than 35 years been attending Arab and Islamic Summits to discuss issues of oil-production, security and anti-terrorism, strategic economic prosperity and high-level diplomatic issues with all Head of Governments of Member Nations being present.
The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria, therefore called on the Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN] that has always been commending President Bola Tinubu leadership for his fairness in treating christians including praising him for good christian representation in his Government since assumption of duty in 2023, to caution NCEF and its leadership to stop forthwith its campaign of calumny and antagonism against President Tinubu – adding that its ‘media intimidation’ against the President and the Nigerian Muslims would fail woefully!
The Group remarked that the responsible Leadership of our Religious Leaders under the banner of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council has been doing alot to promote religious unity, cohesion, understanding and brotherhood.
MMWG concluded that all those promoting religious parochialism like Samuel Danjuma Gani should not be counted among the patriots adding that what christians in Nigeria have benefitted from the Muslim-Muslim ticket of President Tinubu they voted against was far greater, stating further that the era of using religion and misguided print and electronic media to fan embers of religious disunity and confusion in the Country has gone forever.
E-Signed
Alh. Abdul-Azeez Igbinidu
Edo State Coordinator
Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria [MMWG]
Dr. Nasir Balogun,
National Secretary,
Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria [MMWG]
13th Rajab, 1446 AH
13th January, 2025
