The Guardian (Lagos)
Saxone Akhaine
20 August 2001
Kaduna — PERTURBED about alleged mass demolition of churches in some Northern states in line with moves to entrench the Sharia legal code, the Northern Christian Elders Forum (NORCEF) has condemned the action, saying it is barbaric to embark on such a destructive nature.
At the end of a general meeting by NORCEF in Kaduna, the Christian Elders in a statement yesterday agreed to resist any further demolition of churches by the government of Kano, Bauchi, Katsina, Jigawa and Zamfara State under the guise of upholding the Sharia law.
The chairman of NORCEF, Prof. Adamu Baikie and Secretary, Mrs. Helen Adigun who signed the statement, pointed out that "NORCEF is dismayed that in spite of the solemn undertaking given that Sharia is applicable to Moslems only, Christians continue to suffer deprivation and molestation in all the so-called Sharia states".
Particularly, they argued that "instances of the enforcement of Islamic code, the demolition of churches has become rampant in Kano, Bauchi, Katsina, Jigawa and Zamfara,"with the government of the states providing support for such action".
"Converts to Christianity are being unduly harassed and denied the right to freedom of choice and worship as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
However, NORCEF is determined to ensure that Christians are not denied their fundamental rights in any guise and would use all legitimate avenues to correct all the injustices being meted to Christians in Sharia states."
Specifically, Baike, the former Vice-Chancellor of University of Benin (UNIBEN), also said that Christians Elders in the North view "the wanton demolition of churches in some parts of the North on the excuse that the churches were built on land meant for residential accommodation, with great concern". He added that "surely, Christians are not the only culprits in this regard."
Said he: "There are many mosques built in residential areas of the GRA, Sabon Gari, even in the cities, like in Kano, Zaria, Kebbi, Jigawa and Zamfara and nothing has happened to them."
Baike queried: "Are the Christians being selected for persecution?" While stressing that "this discriminatory practices must stop in order to promote true reconciliation to pave way to domestic peace and stability, he demanded that the churches be rebuilt by the government."
Besides, NORCEF also faulted the practices of the authorities of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Kaduna, for an alleged discriminatory programmes which affect members of the NORCEF.
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