A group of leading Nigerian clerics is stepping up their efforts for a full rewrite of the constitution. They say that the current legal system is making divisions worse and not making sure that everyone is treated fairly, regardless of religion.
Bishops from the Calvary Grace International College of Bishops (CGCOB) made the demand in Lagos today. They convened at PISTIS Hub in Maryland before a seminar for ministers called “Fresh Oil for Great Exploits” (Psalm 92:10), according to Vanguard.
The CGCOB Prelate, Francis Wale Oke, who is also the head of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, gave a broad criticism of Nigeria’s constitution when he spoke to reporters. He said that it does not reflect the country’s religious balance and needs to be replaced.
“That constitution doesn’t work for all of Nigeria.” It doesn’t take into account more than half of the people. “Let’s get rid of it and make one that is fair and just for everyone,” he said.
The bishops’ main point is what they call “structural bias.” They say that including Islamic and Sharia laws without what they see as equal recognition of Christianity is an example of this, even though they say that Christians make up more than half of Nigeria’s population.
Oke said that the government should either fully stay out of religion or make sure that all religions are equally represented in the law.
“Religion should be a personal thing. He remarked, “The state should only control it to make sure that no one kills in the name of religion.”
The Imam also connected the constitutional discussion to bigger security issues, saying that violence in some sections of the country is often justified by religion.
He talked about what groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State do, as well as bandits and other armed groups.
He directly asked the Sultan of Sokoto to be more aggressive against those who commit crimes.
“I dare the Sultan to put these people in their place.” He said, “Not speaking up about this threat means you’re guilty.”
The bishops were especially worried about the ongoing killings in Benue State, Plateau State, Taraba State, and parts of Borno State. They called these attacks on Christian communities.
Oke talked about reports from afflicted places, including a massacre in which more than 500 people were purportedly slaughtered in a single mostly Christian town. He said that these kinds of events have left victims and religion leaders with lasting pain.
He talked on comments made by former US President Donald Trump to get the world’s attention on the crisis. He said that the situation is a “existential threat” to Christianity in Nigeria.
He asked the federal government to step up its reaction by working more closely with global allies. He also said that any outside hostility should be seen as an issue of national defense.
“If they are foreigners invading Nigeria, the military must be fully deployed.” He remarked, “The government has a duty to protect the country’s borders.”
Oke’s comments were rather harsh, but he made it clear that the church is not against Islam; it is against violence and extremism. He urged people of all religions in Nigeria to live together peacefully.
He also challenged Christians to stop being politically apathetic and get more involved in government, from joining political parties at the local level to being more active in civic life.
“If we keep saying politics is dirty and stay away, the system will stay dirty.” He remarked, “We have to get involved and change it.”
But he told people to get voter cards, vote in all elections, and keep praying for peace, unity, and stability in the country.
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