Jihad has been launched in Nigeria according to the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF). The NCEF raised this alarm against the backdrop of unfolding events in the country which included the merging of Islamic Religious Knowledge and Christian Religious Knowledge in school curriculum.
The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), an association made up of retired military generals and other Christian elders on Thursday said: “The real problem with the country is that Jihad has been launched in Nigeria and Islamists that have been interfering in the governance of the country using ‘Taqiyya’ (approved deception) as ‘Stealth/Civilisation Jihad’ and Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen as violent Jihad, are relentless in their pursuit of eradicating democracy in Nigeria.”
In attendance at the meeting were General Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), Elder Solomon Asemota, Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (retd.), Gen. Zamani Lekwot (retd.), Elder Moses Ihonde, Elder Shyngle Wigwe, and Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, among others.
According to NCEF, Nigeria is drifting towards a needless conflict which could lead to another war if not properly addressed. The group therefore called on Nigerian leaders to tread softly in order to avoid the impending implosion.
In its communique issued after the meeting which was signed by the group’s chairman, Asemota (SAN), NCEF regretted the budding constitutional crisis in the country.
The threat of another major ethnic conflict, occasioned by the Indigenous People of Biafra and other South East group’s demand for secession, the quit notice to Ndigbo by Arewa Youths in response and the ongoing agitations for fiscal federalism and resource control, among many other regional agitations, NCEF said, could lead to a major crisis in the country.
“The objective of the Islamists (Political Islam) is to supplant the constitution of Nigeria with Sharia ideology as the source of legislation in the nation. The conflict between democracy as national ideology and Sharia as a usurping ideology is responsible for the crisis unfolding in Nigeria. The nation is in the throes of Jihad.”
“…If grazing reserve is a must for the Fulani herdsmen, instead of ranching which is the international best practice, NCEF recommends that Sambisa Forest should be given to the Fulani herdsmen.” NCEF said.
The group further condemned what it termed brazen attempt at Islamising Nigeria with the introduction of Religion and National Values subject “which denigrates Christianity and promotes Islam.”
It added, “The NCEF joins in the demand that Christian Religious Knowledge, and Islamic Religious Knowledge, revert to the original status as stand-alone subjects.”
