By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Nigeria’s President, Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been reminded that Nigeria is constitutionally established as a secular state, founded on the principles of inclusivity, equality, and non-discrimination, irrespective of religious belief.
The assertion was made by Mbami Iliya Sabka, Chief Priest, Seng Wari,
Chairman, Northern Nigeria, in a statement he made available to Journalists in Bauchi on Thursday in reaction to recent happenings in the country.
According to him, “We are compelled by conscience and constitutional responsibility to address recent developments that pose serious threats to Nigeria’s secular order, national unity, and the fundamental right to freedom of religion.”
Mbami Iliya Sabka stated that, “In such a polity, governance must reflect fairness in the establishment of government religious bodies, public appointments, allocation of state resources, security architecture, and the overall welfare of citizens.”
He however lamented that, “Regrettably, evidence suggests a deviation from these constitutional ideals under the administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
“The sustained defense and promotion of a Muslim–Muslim ticket in a nation of diverse religious identities signals an emerging one-state religious governance posture, while African Traditional Religious Worshippers remain unrecognized, excluded, and marginalized in government policies and engagements,” he added.
The traditionalist stressed that,”It is against this backdrop that the President Tinubu administration has politically alleged that Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State sponsors terrorism.”
According to him, “As a Traditional Religious leader and not a partisan politician, I state unequivocally that Governor Bala Mohammed is far better than any government that seeks to promote a one-state religious ideology, particularly as witnessed during the 2023 elections—an approach that has already fueled extremism and deepened religious intolerance in Nigeria.”
He added that,”Allegations of terrorism are grave and must be treated with utmost seriousness; however, they must rest on credible evidence, due process, and impartial investigation, not political rivalry or religious bias.”
Mbami Sabka added that, “The growing climate of religious extremism and exclusion has attracted international concern, culminating in the designation of Nigeria by the United States of America as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the prevailing Muslim–Muslim government arrangement.”
He opined that,”This designation should serve as a wake-up call for the Federal Government to confront the real issues facing the nation—religious discrimination, insecurity, injustice, and exclusion—rather than resorting to false, selective, and politically motivated accusations that further divide the country along religious lines.”
“We, the Traditional Religious Worshippers of Nigeria, outrightly condemn the selective allegation against Governor Bala Mohammed. It is well documented in the media space that some individuals within the current government have themselves been accused as sponsors of the menace of terrorism. Justice demands consistency, fairness, and the courage to investigate all allegations without shielding anyone on the basis of political proximity or religious affiliation,” he added.
He stressed that,”Mr. President, if you truly seek to end the killings of innocent Nigerians, your government must stand firmly on justice, identify and prosecute the real actors behind terrorism—including those within your cabinet if found culpable—and immediately abandon the ideology of one-state religious government represented by the Muslim–Muslim ticket. Sustainable security cannot be achieved through exclusion, scapegoating, or the politicization of religion.”
He also stated,”We call on the Government of the United States of America not to take lightly the posture of the President Tinubu-led administration in its continued politicization of terrorism and religious freedom issues, including those currently raised in the international space by President Donald Trump.”
“We strongly urge the U.S. Government to recognize African Traditional Religious Worshippers as an Issue of Particular Concern, as Nigeria remains among the countries that systematically persecute, marginalize, and refuse to recognize African Traditional Religious Worshippers within government structures,” he stressed.
Mbami Sabka concluded,”Nigeria belongs to all its peoples and all its faiths. Any attempt to impose a one-religion state undermines the Constitution, fuels extremism, and endangers the peace, unity, and stability of the nation.”
Leave a Comment