Former President, Goodluck Jonathan says the solution to
ending the killings in Southern Kaduna crisis are already included in
the 2014 National Conference held on 2014.
In his presentation to the United States House Sub-Committee on
Africa, the former President said failure to arrest perpetrators of
previous religious crisis had emboldened those who engaged in such acts.
The former President’s presentation was contained in a statement by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze.
Jonathan also declared that if Nigeria failed to address religious violence and extremism, the menace will destroy the country.
He said, “If, as a nation, we do not kill religious persecution and
extremism, then religious persecution and extremism will kill Nigeria.
“The potential danger associated with the level of conflicts going on
across the country is so glaring that no sane mind can ignore.
“Your invitation (of the sub-committee) letter profusely highlighted
the issues of the killing of Christians in Nigeria, the last major
incident being the recent killings in Southern Kaduna in Kaduna State,
and I do not need to elaborate on that.
“The challenge is how we stop that from recurring. How do we ensure
that Christians and Muslims co-exist peacefully in Nigeria and practise
their religions freely without discrimination, molestation and
killings?”
The former President agreed with the recommendation of the 2014
National Conference that an Equity Commission be created to handle
religious crisis across the country.
Jonathan, while quoting the report of the conference, said, “In view
of the fact that religion plays a vital role in many aspects of our
national life, especially in the aspect of national security and
national unity, it is highly imperative that it be singled out from
other fundamental rights and given a special attention via the creation
of an Equity Commission whose sole mandate will be to focus on religious
rights and their promotion.
“This is in line with best global practices as many advanced
democracies have special legal and institutional arrangements for some
very sensitive aspects of their national life.
“I totally agree with the 2014 National Conference on the need to
establish the Religious Equity Commission that will have powers to
arrest and prosecute those who contravene the law.”