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Church Leader Blames Military For Nigeria RiotsLAGOS, Nigeria (NEWSROOM) -- Riots between Christians and Muslims in northern Nigeria that killed an estimated 200 people last week were caused by "discredited military apologists operating under religious cover," the president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) said. During a press conference in Lagos on Sunday, Bishop Mike Okonkwo asked the Nigerian government to appoint a commission to determine who and what caused the riots that followed a demonstration by Christians against the introduction of Islamic law (Sharia) in the state of Kaduna. The PFN is the umbrella organization for Pentecostal churches in Nigeria. Many Nigerians believe that disgruntled former military officers and their supporters are behind a wave of ethnic and religious violence that has swept Nigeria since May when President Olusegun Obasanjo became the country's first democratic leader in nearly two decades. Obasanjo says he became a Christian while imprisoned during the previous military regime. "By identifying these unpatriotic elements within the ranks of politicians, military apologists,and religious charlatans, the government would be able to nip subsequent orgies of violence in the bud," Okonkwo told reporters. Rioting broke out in the city of Kaduna on February 21 after Muslim youths clashed with Christians demonstrating against the imposition of Sharia. The protest by Christians followed several days of demonstrations by Muslims who support the state's plan to adopt Sharia. Thousands of Christians were returning from the state government house where had marched when they were attacked. The clash degenerated into a major riot that engulfed Kaduna, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 200 people, scores of injuries and the destruction of many churches, mosques, and shops. Muslim and Christian leaders appealed for calm in the days after the rioting, during which Obasanjo ordered the army to help state police restore order. Okonkwo warned on Sunday that if the federal government fails to act on the spread of Sharia in eight northern states, Christians would no longer tolerate "senseless provocation in the hands of religious bandits." Zamfara State Governor Ahmed Sanni triggered the Sharia controversy last October by adopting Islamic law. Seven other northern states, including Kaduna, soon did the same despite protests by Christians. Opposition in Kaduna is strong because the population is about evenly divided between Christians and Muslims. Islamic law prohibits the consumption of alcohol, permits caning and amputation of limbs, and calls for separate schools and public transportation for males and females. Muslim supporters in Nigeria insist that Christians will not be affected. But in Zamfara, where the state purchased additional buses so that men and women would not ride together, there have been numerous reports of Christian women waiting hours for a bus that transports females. Okonkwo said the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) plans to file suit to force the federal government to act on the declaration of Sharia in the northern states. CAN officials are to meet on March 1 to decide how to proceed. "If we are able to determine in court that Sharia is unconstitutional, other matters will fall into place," Okonkwo said. Asked what Christians will do if the northern states refuse to obey a court order against Sharia, Okonkwo said, "We will watch what the federal government's reaction will be. If the government refuses to act, we will defend our rights. Whatever method, we will defend our faith because it is a matter of life and death." Federal officials have said they will not initiate action in the courts, but suggested that groups or individuals who oppose Sharia file suit. Nigeria's constitution declares the country a secular state. Lagos lawyer Obinna Abiakam filed suit against Obasanjo before a federal high court in Lagos on Friday, challenging the government's lack of response in the matter. The Human Rights Law Service, a leading Nigerian human rights organization, filed suit against the Zamfara attorney general in that state' s High Court last week over the adoption of Sharia. No dates have been set for either case.
(© 2000, www.newsroom.org) (Post date: February 29, 2000)
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