The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) had condemned the closure of both public and private schools in some parts of northern nigeria.
The MBF disclosed the development as “a stark confirmation of the long-standing fears among non-Muslims in these states – that the implementation of Sharia does not differentiate Muslims and non-Muslims”.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary Luka Binniyat, the forum said it was unfortunate that the closure of schools was also binding in Kebbi and Southern Bauchi, which are bonafide parts of the Middle Belt.
“It is deep unjust that non-Muslims students and pupils should suffer significant setbacks in their education simply because Muslims in these states wish to fulfil their religious obligations.
While these students remain at home, their counterparts in other parts of the of the country will continue attending classes and tutorials, preparing for national examinations that all students must sit for.
“The Middle Belt Forum views this regressive directive as yet another manifestation of Boko Haram’s ideology, which opposes western education. The rest of Nigeria must not take this lightly, as it is evident that these Sharia states are gradually distancing themselves from Nigeria’s secular framework”.
The forum thereby depicted that the development has further justified the persisted calls by the Middle Belt Forum and the Southern Forum for restructuring of Nigeria.
It therefore, call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exercise his authority to prevent the states from descending into religious fundamentalism, adding that had former President Olusegun Obasanjo firmly asserted that Nigeria and all its federating units must remain a secular state, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, such issues might never have arisen.
“President Tinubu must learn from this precedent and take firm stand to safeguard the rights and privileges of all non-Muslims against, oppressive effect of the Sharia-based policies”
It noted that the call has become urgent as Nigerians continue to witness increasing intolerance towards the collective liberty and freedom of non-Muslims in these states.
-9News Nigeria.
