Kaduna And Abuja — Members of 19 northern states' Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have advised the Federal Government to treat with seriousness the recent call by former Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) on northerners not to vote for Christian candidates in 2003 elections. Such a position may threaten the basis for the nation's unity, the CAN members said in a statement from their headquarters in Kaduna yesterday.

"From all indications, it is clear that some Nigerians, along with their stooges masquerading as religious leaders are still in their game plan not only to Islamise the country but, to dismember it along religious lines", the CAN said.

"It is unfortunate that such a statement could come from someone who risked his life to fight for the unity of the country during the civil war. It is more disturbing that it came at a time the country is nursing its nascent democracy with prayers from all well-meaning Nigerians."

The three-page statement signed by the group's secretary, Elder Saidu Dogo, went on: "General Buhari should be reminded that his kinsman from Sokoto, former President Shehu Shagari, got his winning votes from the South-South Zone, a Christian-dominated area, during the 1979 presidential elections.

"Christians also voted en masse for the Moslem ticket in the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential elections, an election that saw the late M.K.O Abiola and his vice, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, to victory.

"We strongly feel that such statements are not expected from people like General Buhari who are leaders of this country and, by his comment, he has portrayed himself as not a true national leader.

"Apart from being a national leader and somebody who fought in the civil war, he should be seen to be promoting national unity rather than religious disharmony", the statement added.

On their part, Anglican Bishops in Nigeria yesterday condemned what they called "unguarded statements by General Buhari that only a Moslem should be elected president in 2003 election". The clerics noted that the statement was capable of destabilising the polity.

In a communiquŽ at the end of the council meeting of the Church of Nigeria, the primate, the Most Reverend Peter Akinola, said: "The Council totally condemns the recent unguarded statement credited to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) in which he called on Moslems not to vote for Christians in the 2003 polls. The statement if true is to say the least grossly irresponsible and unbecoming of a former head of state. It is tantamount to an invitation to divide the country along religious lines.

"The council cautions against polices and constitutional provisions that encourage the polarisation of the nation as these may negate successful conduct of vital democratic processes such as election.

"The implementation of the Sharia legal system in some states has put into question the Federal Government's position that the controversy will fizzle out with time. It also puts into question claims by states which have adopted the Sharia legal system that its practice affects only Moslems."

"The Council, therefore, cautions the Constitutional Review Committee against including provisions in the constitution that run counter to the multi-religious multi-ethnic status of our nation."

On the state of the nation, "the meeting emphasises the need to nurture our fledgling democracy by means of mutual respect between the diverse groups that make up the Nigerian polity.

"Council calls on both government and striking professional bodies to go back to the negotiating table in the interest and well-being of the suffering Nigerian populace."