Middle Belt Forum Calls For Restructuring Over School Closure In Northern States
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has condemned the closure of public and private schools in certain Sharia-practicing states of Kebbi and Southern Bauchi which it claimed are bonafide parts of the Middle Belt in northern Nigeria.
The MBF described the development as “a stark confirmation of the long-standing fears among non-Muslims in these states—that the implementation of Sharia does not differentiate between Muslims and non-Muslims.”
In a statement by its National Spokesman, Luka Binniyat and released to newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday, the MBF argued that the closure is “deeply unjust” to non-Muslim students and pupils, who will suffer significant setbacks in their education.
“This action serves as a stark confirmation of the long-standing fears among non-Muslims in these states—that the implementation of Sharia does not differentiate between Muslims and non-Muslims.
“It is deeply unjust that non-Muslim students and pupils should suffer significant setbacks in their education simply because Muslims in these states wish to fulfill their religious obligations,” Binniyat added.
The MBF viewed the directive as “yet another manifestation of Boko Haram’s ideology, which opposes Western education” and warned that the rest of Nigeria must not take the directive lightly.
The forum reiterated its call for the restructuring of Nigeria, citing the increasing intolerance toward the collective liberty and freedom of non-Muslims in these states.
“The urgency of this need grows as we continue to witness increasing intolerance toward the collective liberty and freedom of non-Muslims in these states,” he said.
The MBF urged President Bola Tinubu to exercise his authority to prevent these states from descending into religious fundamentalism and to safeguard the rights and privileges of all non-Muslims against the oppressive effects of Sharia-based policies.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must exercise his authority to prevent these states from descending into religious fundamentalism. Had former President Olusegun Obasanjo firmly asserted that Nigeria and all its federating units must remain a secular state, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, such issues might never have arisen,” Binniyat said.
The MBF also criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for not firmly asserting Nigeria’s secular status, allowing such issues to arise.
“President Tinubu must learn from this precedent and take a firm stand to safeguard the rights and privileges of all non-Muslims against the oppressive effects of Sharia-based policies,” MBF Spokesman added.
Middle Belt Forum Calls For Restructuring Over School Closure In Northern States is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
