The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police to intervene in the ongoing controversy over the hijab policy that has led to violent clash and bloodletting in Kwara State.
The Christian body said it learnt that the State government has ordered the reopening of the closed schools without resolving the crisis and consequently, churches and mission schools are being vandalised with impunity by hoodlums banking on the state government’s support on the pretext of enforcing the policy. Some innocent Christians are being violently abused and attacked under the watch of the Governor who is playing the ostrich.
It said the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, should be held responsible if the matter degenerates because it was his pronouncement on the issue of hijab-wearing in violation of the court directive on the matter to maintain the status quo until the matter is finally resolved by the court that led to the trouble.
Also Read: Hijab Controversy: Kwara Government Insists It Has Taken Over Missionary Schools
CAN insists that wisdom is required by those in leadership to handle sensitive issues such as religion so as not to precipitate war.that If any damage is done to any church or anyone is injured due to the matter, the Governor of Kwara State should be held responsible.
It said It was disheartening and unfortunate that a government that was elected democratically will become insensitive to the plight and the yearning of the people as if the governor was voted into the office primarily to protect his own religion. It says it is unfair, ungodly and reprehensible.
The Christian body noted that there are public schools and schools that belong to some Islamic organisations where those who wanted to wear hijab can attend without causing the ongoing needless crises rocking the state.
CAN once again calls on Governor AbdulRazaq to give peace a chance in the State by ordering his hoodlums to stop attacking mission schools and churches in Kwara State before the situation degenerates into an unprecedented religious crisis. It therefore calls on the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police to ask the Kwara State government to respect the rule of law in order to avoid a chaotic situation.
(Editor Paul Akhagbemhe)
