A recent viral video featuring an Islamic cleric issuing threats against Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has ignited an outburst of controversy and condemnation, highlighting deep-seated issues of religious intolerance and freedom of belief in the country. In a press statement, released by The Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation (TP-MPF) on February 26th, 2024, delves into the alarming implications of the cleric’s incendiary remarks and calls for urgent action to address these pressing concerns.
The video, which circulated widely on social media platforms, captured the cleric making inflammatory statements in Hausa, targeting the First Lady for her Christian faith and pastoral role. In a shocking display of religious bigotry, the cleric declared that Mrs. Tinubu deserved to die for her religious affiliation, citing her status as an “infidel” and a leader among Christians. Such blatant incitement to violence constitutes a criminal offense under Nigerian law, which prohibits threats against public officials or their families.
The President and CEO of The Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation (TP-MPF), The Revd Dr Gideon Para-Mallam, emphasized the gravity of the situation, underscoring the urgent need for legal intervention to address this flagrant violation of public order and national security. While the cleric has since issued a tepid apology for his inflammatory remarks, the underlying issues of religious intolerance and extremism remain deeply entrenched within Nigerian society.
“The brazen disregard and levity with which the lives of Christians are treated in Nigeria is a serious threat to national unity and internal security,” remarked The Revd Dr Gideon Para-Mallam, President and CEO of TP-MPF. “Publicly calling for the assassination of a First Lady is a crime punishable under Nigerian law. This manifestation of religious bigotry and intolerance are hallmarks of radical extremism. It MUST be stopped through constitutional/legal means.”
The press statement stated that it is the alarming silence and complicity of certain religious and community leaders in the face of such egregious threats. The statement calls upon Muslim leaders, including the Sultan and prominent Islamic organizations, to unequivocally condemn the cleric’s incitement to violence and uphold the principles of religious tolerance and coexistence.
The Revd Dr Gideon Para-Mallam in the statement highlights the broader implications of this incident for freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in Nigeria. Against the backdrop of ongoing insurgencies and communal tensions, the disregard for FoRB poses a significant threat to national stability and social cohesion. The Nigerian government is urged to take decisive action to protect the rights of all citizens and ensure that such incidents are not allowed to fester unchecked.
“The total disregard for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Nigeria has ripple effects that have resulted in violence and have a tendency to spiral out of control,” stated Dr. Para-Mallam. “The Federal Government must take this threat seriously and deploy its legitimate instruments to ensure that nothing happens to Senator Pastor Oluremi Tinubu.”
In response to the crisis, TP-MPF has put forward a series of recommendations aimed at promoting peace, reconciliation, and religious harmony in Nigeria.
The Recommendations Are:
- Leading religious leaders, through NIREC, should meet over this threat to the First lady. This should be addressed and tackled in the open and not through a back door approach.
- Mr President should give priority to peace building and conflict transformation approach on a national scale.
- A National Peace and Reconciliation Commission should be set up to promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
- Respect for Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) should be elevated to the level of national discourse and social action as a conversation, practice and structural framework.
- The public use of words that depict religious intolerance such as arne (infidel) and kafir (pagan) amount to hate speech and should be outlawed not only in our Criminal and Penal Codes, but also in our Constitution.
As the nation grapples with the fallout from this disturbing incident, it is imperative that religious and political leaders come together to foster a climate of tolerance, understanding, and respect for diversity. Only through concerted efforts to address the root causes of religious extremism and promote genuine dialogue and reconciliation can Nigeria hope to overcome the challenges that threaten its social fabric and unity.
In addition to the immediate concerns raised by the video threat, the press statement further stressed the need to address issues of food insecurity and its relationship to national stability. Stating that “There is hunger in the land,” the statement reads. “Prices of food items are skyrocketing daily resulting in an increased number of Nigerians who cannot afford food.” Urging the government to adopt longer-term approaches to address hunger, TP-MPF emphasizes the need for comprehensive action to combat both food insecurity and the underlying causes of insecurity in the country.
