Posted by From Funmi Peter-Omale in Abuja on
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the mayhem in some Northern states, while calling for an immediate probe with a view to punishing the brains behind the crises.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the mayhem in some Northern states, while calling for an immediate probe with a view to punishing the brains behind the crises.
Chairman of the Forum, Chief Sunday Awoniyi in a statement noted that the action must be condemned in all its ramifications and in the extreme, adding that from all indications, the violence could not have been anti-Christian.
Awoniyi in a statement made available to ThisDay in Abuja stated that , ‘From general indications available thus far, and from unbiased, non-sectarian and responsible residents of Maiduguri, anti-Christian feelings were not the origin of the violence. The Danish cartoons of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), which was the excuse for the mayhem had been condemned by Christians and Moslems alike as provocative, thoughtless and insensitive'.
‘We appeal to all members of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Christians and Moslems alike, and to all other organisations, religious and non religious, and indeed to the entire Nigerian citizenry, wherever they be, to use their influence to ensure peace and calm all over the country'.
He said, ‘These are dangerous and volatile times for this our potentially great but fragile Federal Republic of diverse peoples and religions. We appeal to all those who love her to exert their influence at all levels on the side of mutual respect and accommodation to strengthen our internal cohesion and harmony.'
According to him, ‘while our federal and state authorities are busy with the post-mortem of events, it is pertinent to ask once again: Where have the old governmental anticipatory skills gone? They used to enable government to identify not only local or indigenous flash points but also to predict the ripple effects of distant events on our country.'
Awoniyi averred that as violent demonstrations against the cartoons by Moslem population spread from Europe to the Middle East and unto South East Asia, it should have been clear to the Nigerian government that the country was unlikely to be spared. ‘You do not need the services of priests and marabouts to predict this.
Steps should have been taken by government to ensure that religious leaders particularly, were given the correct guidance to prevent any disruptive acts or pronouncements that could provoke violent consequences.î