Chairman, National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), Elder Solomon Asemota (SAN) has disclosed that the group made up of former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd) and others agreed with former President Olusegun Obasanjo that Boko Haram and herdsmen activities have become a tool to Fulanise West Africa and Islamise Africa.

The group said: “We wrote to former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd) and former President Olusegun Obasanjo because we are convinced that unless there is genuine reconciliation over two conflicting ideologies in the country, the current security challenges will not only continue, but will also escalate because we are at  war with ourselves unnecessarily.”

“Again, I say we support President Obasanjo hundred percent. In fact, I am of the feeling that he made the statement after reading the letter I sent to him on the issue. He understands that the current government is promoting Sharia ideology, which is at variance with democratic norms.”

“Anybody who does not understand what we are saying should visit our website and see for him/her self the agenda this government is pursuing. What is baffling though is the fact that two eminent Christian leaders (names withheld) are the ones promoting the Islamic cause. Where are the Muslims?”

However, Asemota recalled that the group’s recent statement, entitled: “Jihad in Nigeria: Burying The Head in Sand,” where it was compelled to defend its earlier release, entitled “Correct Assessment of Situation in Nigeria,” which has generated a great deal of debate among some Nigerian Muslim leaders who have denied the reality of an ongoing Jihad in Nigeria, and clarified certain misconceptions in the interest of peace and development of Nigeria.

Urges leaders to tread softly After reviewing unfolding events across the country, the eminent Christian elders called on Nigerian leaders to tread softly to avoid a pending implosion, insisting that the real problem was that a Jihad had been launched in Nigeria.

It also contended that Islamists that have been interfering in the governance of the country, using “Taqiyya” (approved deception) as “Stealth/Civilisation Jihad,” Boko Haram and herdsmen as violent Jihad, were relentless in their pursuit of eradicating democracy in Nigeria. It said: “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.”

“Nigeria moving dangerously close to national red line Noting that Nigeria was moving dangerously close to a national “red line” where truth was now being criminalised as “hate speech,” NCEF said it was committed to the unity of Nigeria, contending that the duty of the leadership of the nation was to ensure that this unity was not sacrificed on the altar of sectarian interests and biases.”

“The NCEF is fully aware of the seriousness of these issues and wishes to share this information for the consideration of serious minds desirous of providing solutions to the myriad of problems confronting Nigeria. The NCEF has taken on this onerous task, not for the interest of the present Christian elders, most of whom are in the boarding lounge to eternity, but in the interest of the coming generations.”

“NCEF is challenging Muslim leaders denying the existence of a Jihad in the country to clarify certain pronouncements over the issue, including a declaration by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, in one of his videos in 2012 that the war they were prosecuting was not political but religious.”

“It is between Muslims and unbelievers (arna). It will stop when Islamic religion is the determinant in governance in Nigeria or, in the alternative, when all fighters are annihilated and no one is left to continue the fight. I warn all Muslims at this juncture that any Muslim who assists an unbeliever in this war should consider himself an unbeliever and should consider himself dead.”

“If this statement is not a declaration of Jihad, could Muslim leaders explain what this means? Soyinka berates FG over Obasanjo’s message Meanwhile, Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has thrown his weight behind President Obasanjo’s concern over the insecurity fueled by Boko Haram, herdsmen and bandits in the country.”