A group known as the Nigerian Christian Elders Forum, NCEF, on Friday berated the Federal Government over the country’s recent inclusion in the Saudi Arabia-led coalition against terrorism.
Condemning government’s decision, NCEF Chairman, Solomon Asemota while speaking with reporters in Abuja said the action clearly negated the rights of Nigerians as well a disregard for the views of non-Muslim Nigerians who took part in bringing the new administration to power.
Asemota said, “Including Nigeria in the Saudi Arabia Military coalition of Muslims/Arab nations would appear that the foreign policy thrust of the current administration is to make Nigeria a satellite state of Saudi Arabia,”
“Any nation in which Islamists believe that they are sufficiently strong to exercise influence rarely experiences peace.
“Mr. President should kindly remember that over 50 per cent non-Muslims of Nigeria did not vote for the nation to become Sharia compliant,” the group said.
President Muhammadu Buhari had recently announced the decision to join the Saudi Arabia based group so as to fight terrorism.
The group maintained that Nigeria’s inclusion in the Organisation of Islamic Conference, OIC, in 1975, as well as its recent inclusion in the Saudi-led coalition was an attempt by Muslim leaders to dominate the country, with the teachings of Islam.
“While Islam is a religion; Islamism, otherwise called political Islam, is a set of ideologies that hold that Islam is not a religion, but a political system meant to dominate the environment in which it is practised,” Asemota said.
Pointing out that some of the policies of the present government was a major cause of concern to Nigerians,Asemota said, “N900 billion was released as bailout to states without appropriation. International commitments are being made without recourse to the National Assembly.”
Asemota further condemned what he described as, “Attempt to fund deficit in the 2016 budget through issuance of Sukkuk loan which is a Sharia compliant loan.”
