In a statement that has sparked widespread debate, the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has raised alarm over President Bola Tinubu’s participation in the Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia last November, criticising it as a violation of Nigeria’s secular principles. The group, in a statement issued on Saturday, expressed concerns that the president’s actions could exacerbate the religious divide in the country, stressing that Nigeria, as a secular state, should remain neutral in matters of religion.
The controversial summit, which took place in Riyadh, was organized by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States. The event, called by Saudi Arabian King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aimed to address issues related to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly the situation in Gaza. President Tinubu, representing Nigeria, used the platform to condemn Israeli military actions in Gaza, calling for an end to the aggression. However, his participation in a forum dedicated to Arab and Islamic nations did not sit well with the NCEF.
Dr. Samuel Danjuma Gani, Chairman of the NCEF, expressed concern that Nigeria’s involvement in such an event contradicts the country’s Constitution, particularly Section 10, which clearly states that “the government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion.” Dr. Gani emphasized that this constitutional provision highlights Nigeria’s commitment to remaining neutral in religious matters. “Nigeria is a secular state. Our Constitution explicitly prohibits the adoption of any religion as a state religion,” he stated. “The participation of President Tinubu in this summit misrepresents this critical constitutional principle and sends the wrong signal to the nation and the international community.”
Dr. Gani, speaking on behalf of the NCEF, further argued that Tinubu’s involvement in the summit risks exacerbating religious tensions within Nigeria, a nation already grappling with significant sectarian divides. “Nigeria is a deeply divided country, with many non-state actors exerting pressure on its security and cohesion,” he noted. “Religious intolerance and discrimination, particularly in northern Nigeria, remain unresolved issues. Instead of promoting unity and secularity, the government’s participation in this summit may further deepen the divide.”
The NCEF’s criticisms are not limited to the president’s participation in the Arab-Islamic Summit but also extend to broader governance concerns. The forum pointed out that, despite the constitutional framework designed to ensure religious neutrality, Nigeria has seen an increasing number of incidents where citizens’ rights to freely practice their religion have been violated, particularly in the northern parts of the country.
“Religious extremism and violence continue to challenge the integrity of our secular state,” Dr. Gani explained. “While the Nigerian government claims to champion peace and security, many parts of the north still face widespread discrimination based on religion. The actions of some government officials, including participation in forums like the Arab-Islamic Summit, only seem to undermine the constitutional principle of secularity.”
The NCEF, a prominent Christian group, has consistently advocated for the promotion of secularism in Nigeria, arguing that the state should refrain from aligning with any religion. The forum also highlighted the troubling trend of religious extremism, which it argues is often nurtured by political and state support for certain religious agendas.
In addition to the concerns about religious neutrality, the NCEF also expressed disappointment with other policies under the Tinubu administration. Among these was the removal of fuel subsidies, which the group argues has further strained the Nigerian economy. “The fuel subsidy removal has placed significant inflationary pressure on the economy, making it harder for ordinary Nigerians to afford basic necessities,” Dr. Gani stated. “This is just one example of a larger pattern of poor economic decisions that have worsened the living conditions of the average Nigerian.”
The NCEF also raised concerns about corruption within government agencies, particularly within the security sector. The group noted that extortion by security agents, particularly in the transportation of foodstuffs across the country, has contributed to rising food prices. “Farmers and traders are being extorted at multiple checkpoints, further inflating the cost of foodstuffs and exacerbating food insecurity,” said Dr. Gani. “The government must take immediate action to address this issue, which is further harming the Nigerian populace.”
Despite these mounting concerns, President Tinubu’s administration has continued to defend its policies and participation in international forums like the Arab-Islamic Summit. Supporters argue that Nigeria, as a member of the international community, has a responsibility to engage in global conversations, particularly on issues of security and peace. However, critics, like the NCEF, maintain that such engagements should not come at the cost of the country’s foundational principles.
“Nigeria should not act as a proxy for any particular religious or ideological group,” Dr. Gani warned. “The secularity of the Nigerian state must be protected at all costs to ensure national unity and peace.”
In light of these criticisms, the NCEF has called for a reconsideration of Nigeria’s foreign policy and the president’s participation in future religiously exclusive events. The group urged the Nigerian government to reassert its commitment to secularism, emphasizing that the country’s constitution should remain the cornerstone of its governance approach.
