A group, the National Christian Elders Forum, has raised objections to what it termed the monopolisation of the headship of security agencies and ministries by Norherners.
The NCEF, in a statement on Sunday, also frowned at what it said was the perceived reservation of the position of the Chief Justice of Nigeria for Northers.
In a statement signed by the Elders, with Solomon Asemota (SAN) as chairman, the group said the government must make conscious efforts to observe the principle of Federal Character in all its appointments.
It specifically mentioned the offices of the Minister of Defence (Dan Ali), the Director General of the Department of State Services (Daura Lawal), the National Security Adviser and the Minister of Interior.
Rising from its meeting in Jos on November 29, 2015, the Forum also frowned at the perceived exclusive preservation of the office of the CJN for Northerners.
The incumbent CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, replaced another Northerner.
The Christian Elders, who also include Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (rtd), Prof. Joseph Otubu, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), Dr. Kate Okpareke, Dr. Ayo Abifarin, Bishop Joseph Bagobiri, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, Elder Moses Ihonde, Elder Nat Okoro, Prof. Vincent Anigbogu, Gen. Ishaku Dikko (rtd), Justice Kalajine Anigbogu (rtd), Elder Shyngle Wigwe, DIG P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, Dr. Saleh Hussaini, Elder Mike Orobator, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Justice M. Ogebe (rtd), Priscilla Kuye, Chief Debo Omotosho, Dr. Musa Asake, Barrister Joseph Daramola and Pastor O. O. Emmanuel (Secretary), said the Federal Government should dialogue with the Biafra agitators.
The statement by the group reads in full:
The National Christian Elders Forum at its meeting in Jos, Plateau State, on Monday November 29th 2015, expressed concern over the state of the Nigerian Church and the nation. The Elders observe that critical indices in the nation point to the need that all stakeholders in Nigeria should take stock and review the evolving situation in the country.
Amongst others, the National Christian Elders Forum observes as follows:
1. There seems to be general apathy and indifference amongst Christians concerning glaring issues threatening Christianity and democracy in the nation. It would appear that the Church is suffering from self inflicted ignorance about critical issues cropping up in the nation. The Christian Elders recommend that should be an intentional program of awareness and enlightenment amongst Christians on critical issues of the moment that affect both the Church and democracy in Nigeria.
2. The Christian Elders strongly recommend that the Nigerian Church has no option but to unite and vigorously pursue a course of collective self-preservation. The current state of disunity in the Church weakens its ability to resist a well orchestrated Islamist invasion in the country. The Christian Elders caution the Church, particularly those in Church leadership, from undertaking a presumptive dismissal of this admonition. “A stitch in time saves nine.”
3. The Christian Elders wonder why in a divergent and pluralistic society, such as Nigeria, all the critical security institutions in the nation are headed by people from one section of the country. The Minister of Defense, the Director-General of Department of State Security (DSS), the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the Minister of Interior, are all from one section of the country and are adherents of the same religion. The Christian Elders decry the violation of the Federal Character principle in sensitive Federal appointments by the current administration. This discriminatory anomaly should be reversed without delay.
4. The Christian Elders also observe with much concern the impression that is created in the Judiciary that only persons from a section of the country are qualified to be the Chief Justice of the Federation. That the Nigerian Judiciary has been garrisoned by a section of the country and a religion is no longer in doubt, however, the dismantling of this anomaly is expedient. Nigeria can only survive and thrive on a tripod of Justice, Equality, and Fairness.
5. As the nation celebrated its Centenary, representatives of the various groups in the nation met at a National Conference in 2014 to review the state of the nation and chart a corrective course for the future. It is worrisome that a government would be elected into office and it would totally reject the implementation of the Report. Bearing in mind that critical solutions required by the nation are contained in the National Conference report, the National Christian Elders Forum call on the government to implement the Report of the National Conference and urge all Nigerians to raise a clarion call in this regard. It is in the best interest of Nigeria and all Nigerians that the Report of the National Conference is implemented in full.
6. While the National Christian Elders Forum frowns at, and discountenances any move towards secession by any group in the nation, it firmly believes that the grievances of the agitators for Biafra Republic should be examined and the people should be given a fair hearing. It was noted that since the return to democracy in 1999, there has been no such widespread agitation until now.
7. The Christian Elders appreciates the role of the media in the society and urges the media to accord topical issues in the nation a balanced report. The criminal attacks on Christian minority groups in northern parts of the nation should not be treated in manners that could be interpreted to imply media conspiracy. From the scale and consistency of the attacks, a well orchestrated act of genocide is taking place in northern Nigeria.
8. The National Christian Elders Forum enjoins all Christians in the nation to adhere to the Biblical injunction of “follow peace with all men”. While Christians are urged to remain peace loving and shun any act of provocation, it has become necessary to advise Christian communities to evolve means of “self defense” to ensure self-preservation. The impunity and lawlessness with which religious extremists seek to exterminate Christians should be checked, more so, since the security agents seem helpless to apprehend these “unknown gunmen”.
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