BY NONYE EKWENUGO
Kaduna
Northern group under the aegis of Pathfinders Arewa Project has condemned the recent comments made by the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on the security situation in Benue State, warning religious leaders against politicising the ongoing conflict.
Addressing a press conference at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Kaduna on Thursday, the President of the group, Abdulhamid Abdullahi, condemned a statement attributed to Bishop Leonard Kawas, who had alleged an “Islamisation agenda” and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Benue State.
He criticised the call for a state of emergency in Benue, questioning why similar measures were not demanded in other conflict-prone states with higher casualty figures.
“If a state of emergency was not imposed in Zamfara, Katsina, or Borno despite widespread killings and kidnappings, why should Benue be singled out? The call appears politically motivated, aimed at undermining Governor Hyacinth Alia”.
According to Abdullahi, while the group acknowledges the pain and trauma suffered by victims of violence in Benue, framing the crisis solely along religious and ethnic lines undermines efforts to address the root causes.
“The security challenges in Benue are deeply rooted in longstanding land disputes, environmental degradation, and institutional weaknesses in conflict resolution. Portraying it as a religious war only serves to inflame tensions and mislead both the Nigerian public and international observers.”
He noted that Nigeria remains a constitutionally secular State, cautioning that claims of Islamisation are “unfounded and dangerous.”
“Christians and Muslims alike have been victims of insecurity in Zamfara, Katsina, Borno, and Plateau. The CBCN’s focus on Benue alone raises questions of political bias”.
He urged religious leaders to avoid becoming pawns in political conflicts, emphasizing the role of clergy in promoting peace and healing.
“Men of God are men of integrity. They must not allow themselves to be used by those who wish to destabilize the state,” Abdullahi added.
“Constructive criticism is necessary, but it must be balanced with realistic proposals. Security deployments have been increased, and both state and federal governments have launched resettlement efforts.”
He reaffirmed the group’s commitment to national unity and praised the Northern Governors Forum and security agencies for their work in tackling insurgency and restoring peace in affected areas.
