The Nigerian Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has expressed strong opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s participation in the Arab-Islamic Summit held in Saudi Arabia in November 2024, stating that it undermines Nigeria’s secular status and exacerbates religious tensions in the country.
In a statement issued by its chairman, Dr. Samuel Danjuma Gani, the NCEF described Tinubu’s attendance at the summit as a breach of the constitutional provision that prohibits the government from adopting or promoting any religion. The Christian elders argued that the president’s actions sent a troubling signal that misrepresented Nigeria’s identity as a secular state.
“Section 10 of the Constitution clearly states that ‘The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion.’ Nigeria is neither an Arab country nor an Islamic state, and the president’s participation in the summit goes against this constitutional directive,” Gani said.
The NCEF further warned that such actions deepen the religious divide in Nigeria and called for caution from political leaders to uphold the nation’s neutrality on religious matters. “The secularity of the Nigerian state is openly challenged by some relentless religious extremists. The government must not act as an agent provocateur in inflaming religious crises,” the statement read.
Religious Divide and National Unity
The Christian elders highlighted the persistent issue of religious discrimination in Nigeria, particularly in the northern regions where they said violations of citizens’ rights to freedom of belief remain rampant. They urged the government to address the religious divide and work toward fostering national unity.
“Rather than promoting unity, the government’s actions risk further polarizing the country. Leaders must act in ways that reflect Nigeria’s diverse religious and cultural composition, ensuring no group feels marginalized or misrepresented,” the NCEF said.
Addressing Hunger and Economic Hardship
The forum also raised concerns about the worsening economic hardship in the country, citing hyperinflation, corruption, and insecurity as major drivers of poverty. They specifically called for an end to the extortion of transporters by security agents at checkpoints, which they said contributes to the skyrocketing prices of food items.
“The illegal levies imposed on transporters add to the price of foodstuff in the market. These extortion checkpoints must be dismantled to alleviate the burden on Nigerians,” Gani said.
Criticism of Fuel Pricing Policies
The NCEF also criticized the Tinubu administration’s removal of fuel subsidies, noting that the policy has caused severe inflationary pressures. The group questioned why locally refined fuel is priced at the same level as imported fuel and called for a review of the pricing regime to prioritize citizens’ welfare.
“The sudden removal of the fuel subsidy without mitigating measures cannot be applauded. It is akin to cutting off the head to cure a headache. The government must strike the right balance between citizens’ welfare and economic policies,” the statement added.
Call for Leadership with Compassion
The NCEF urged President Tinubu to prioritize the welfare and security of Nigerians, reminding him of the constitutional mandate that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” They called for a policy review in 2025 to provide relief to the struggling populace.
The Christian elders emphasized that government policies should aim to meet the needs of the people and foster unity, cautioning against any action that could further inflame religious or economic tensions in the country.