The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, on Thursday berated the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, over the campaign that the next Senate President or Speaker of the House of Representatives should be a Christian.
The argument of CAN was that doing so would ensure equity.
In its reaction to the campaign, however, NSCIA described the action of the Christian body as ill-advised and a clear display of “selective amnesia” or “chronic mendacity.”
In a statement issued by the Deputy Secretary-General of NSCIA, Salisu Shehu, the body said the action of CAN amounted to undue interference in the polity.
It said it wondered whether CAN was a political group or a religious body.
The statement reads in part: “Given the trajectory of the recent activities of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), like other informed groups and people in Nigeria, cannot but wonder whether CAN still remains a religious body or a political party in a religious garb.
“The Council is persuaded to believe the latter because of the Association’s posture as the counterfoil for and opposition to everything Islam and Muslims in this country.
“Specifically, the statement issued by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji on behalf of CAN is the last straw to break the camel’s back in the Association’s ill-advised and ill-motivated interventions in the polity.
“Is CAN suffering from selective amnesia or is it just obsessed with chronic mendacity? Was there no CAN between 2009 and 2011 when Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Justice Aloyious Katsina-Alu was the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Senator David A. B. Mark was President of the Senate and Senator Ike Ekweremadu was Deputy Senate President? Was there religious balance in 2007 when David Mark was elected Senate President and Patricia Etteh was elected Speaker? Was there no 1999 Constitution at that time?
“Even prior to 1999, the two arms of the National Assembly were headed by Christians.”
NSCIA accused CAN of being too intolerant and spreading fake news.
“The indecorous and outright partisan statement by CAN which is meant to polarise the country has created doubt in NSCIA and any right-thinking person about the genuineness of the partnership of CAN with NSCIA.
“All these must stop! CAN should save itself of creating hatred in the minds of well-meaning Nigerians through its divisive and evil-impelled interventions,” the muslim body stated.
