The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has denounced the recent closure of both public and private schools in certain states practicing Sharia law, specifically Kebbi and Southern Bauchi, which the forum asserts are integral parts of the Middle Belt region in northern Nigeria.
The MBF characterized this situation as “a clear reflection of the longstanding concerns of non-Muslims in these areas—that the enforcement of Sharia fails to recognize the distinction between Muslims and non-Muslims.
In a statement issued by its National Spokesman, Luka Binniyat, to reporters in Kaduna on Sunday, the MBF contended that the closures are “profoundly unjust” to non-Muslim students, who will face considerable disruptions in their education.
This action starkly confirms the long-held fears among non-Muslims in these states—that the application of Sharia treats Muslims and non-Muslims without distinction.“It is deeply unjust that non-Muslim students and pupils should encounter significant barriers in their education solely due to the religious obligations of their Muslim counterparts,” Binniyat remarked.
The MBF views this directive as “yet another manifestation of Boko Haram’s ideology, which fundamentally opposes Western education,” and cautioned that the entirety of Nigeria should not underestimate the implications of this development.Reiterating its call for the restructuring of Nigeria, the forum noted the increasing intolerance towards the collective rights and freedoms of non-Muslims in these states.
The urgency for this restructuring becomes more pressing as we observe a growing intolerance toward the collective rights and freedoms of non-Muslims in these areas,” he emphasized.
The MBF urged President Bola Tinubu to utilize his authority to avert a slide into religious fundamentalism in these states and to protect the rights and privileges of all non-Muslims from the adverse impacts of Sharia-based policies.“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must act decisively to prevent these states from descending into religious fundamentalism,” Binniyat stated.
He also criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo for not firmly reinforcing Nigeria’s secular nature, suggesting that had he done so per the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, such issues might have been avoided.“President Bola Tinubu must draw lessons from this precedent and take a strong position to defend the rights and privileges of all non-Muslims against the oppressive consequences of Sharia-based policies,” Binniyat concluded.
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