Northern minorities at the ongoing National Conference have cried out for help from oppression and depression facing them in Northern Nigeria, saying the powerful elites and groups have systematically over the years marginalized and taken away the right of the minorities in that part of the country.
The Northern minorities, who vented their anger against marginalization in the North, lamented that they have been prevented from building churches in certain areas and had existing churches burnt down or demolished.
The minorities also complained of denial of indigene certificate and issuance of “Settler Certificate to indigenous Hausa and Fulani christians in some northern states.
This directly denies them access to employment in Federal, States and Local government services, as well as in the security agencies, they said.
The memorandum submitted to the Conference states: “The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stipulates that no citizen of the country shall suffer or be subjected to discrimination or disadvantage on grounds of class, ethnicity, religion, gender or disability.
“However, in the Northern states, religious discrimination has become institutionalized by the Federal, States and Local governments.
“In northern states there is confiscation of missionary and community schools by federal and state governments.
“Promotion and building of almaajiri religious schools by the federal government, which constitutes official government discrimination against christians in Northern Nigeria on the basis of religion.
“The use of state resources for the promotion of religious objectives and agenda of some religious groups.
“Discrimination in access to employment, education, health,land and other services at the federal, states and local government levels.
“Some people believe that they have the right to build mosques anywhere in Nigeria but prevent from building of churches in certain areas, and burn down or demolish existing churches.
“Individuals, churches, and voluntary agencies desiring to acquire land are required to undertake never to build or sell or donate such land for the purpose of building churches in several northern states.”
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