From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Activities of religious extremists and bigotry are the major problem threatening the peace and unity and is responsible for the insecurity challenges being experienced in the nation, the National President of Tarayyar Masihiyawan Nigeriya (TAMANI), the umbrella of Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri Christians in Nigeria, Major-General Ishaku Ahmed Dikko (rtd) has said.
He disclosed this at the 2014 National convention of the organisation, held at Saint Francis Theological College, Wusasa, Zaria at the weekend.
Gen. Dikko said, as Christians and Northerners, they are guided by the dictates of their religion and that for centuries they have co-habited peacefully with their Muslim brothers without cause for alarm.
“Only of recent, being the minority in the North-West, North-Central and North East, some religious extremists launched unprovoked attacks on our members and even killing some of them; but I always tell people that these people do not even understand the principle of Islam.
Islam is peace and Christianity teaches the love of your neighbour as yourself. “Therefore, if you are talking of love and peace, there is no room for extremists; and that is what the Federal and state governments should strive to wipe out if Nigeria is enjoy peace and progress.
Gen. Dikko also said that the Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri Christians in the northern region has declared unequivocal support for President Goodluck Jonathan not because they are rebel from the zone but because Jonathan is on the throne today and as Christian we are admonished to pray and support those in authority”, he stated.
When reacting to the agitation for a northern Christian presidential candidate, Gen. Dikko said those making the agitation are mostly from the Middle-Belt and that Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri Christians know that it will be very impossible to produce a Christian from the North, especially among the Hausa/Fulani Christian considering their meager number.
“If the Middle-Belt is bent on producing the next Christian president of the nation they should come and consult us so that we can find a common ground. Without that, I doubt if such agitation will see the light of the day because politics is all about numbers.
Speaking earlier, the Secretary of the Group, Barrister Yakubu Bawa said the convention called on federal government to make some institutional changes in its administration so that it can become more pro-active in addressing some national issues that is threatening to tear the country apart.
