From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja
Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship (NCGF) on Monday faulted Federal Government’s self-exoneration on the continued detention of the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Shiekh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.
It expressed dissatisfaction over the government’s claim that El-Zakzaky’s fate lies in the hands of Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The Christian body called for the immediate release of the IMN leader from the Department of State Services (DSS) custody.
It accused the Federal Government of an unnecessary blame game.
NCGF National President, Prof. Charles Adisa, spoke on phone with The Nation.
He said: “I think the Federal Government is trying to shift blame. El-Zakzaky is in the DSS custody and the Kaduna State government does not have a private police system. We run a unitary system in Nigeria.
Read Also: El-Zakzaky’s fate is in El-Rufai’s hands, says Fed Govt
“The police, Army and the DSS are under the control of the Federal Government. The Federal Government just wants to be funny by claiming that El-zakzaky’s matter lies in the hands of the Kaduna State governor.
Were they not the same Federal Government that released him to go to India for medical treatment?”
NCGF also dismissed a statement by President Muhammadu Buhari urging Nigerians not to allow religion to divide the nation.
Asking the President to walk his talk, the fellowship said his administration should ensure the release of all those detained by the DSS in violation of court orders.
These include El-Zakzaky and some unnamed journalists.
The group said the President had, neither in word or in deed, demonstrated that religion should not be a factor in national unity.
NCGF said it is on record that “Mr President has effectively used the instrument of religion and ethnicity to gain unfair advantage in his quest for political power”.
Also, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, NCGF accused the President of exhibiting “the worst ethnic and religious bigotry in running the affairs of the state”.
The statement was jointly signed by NCGF National President, Prof. Charles Adisa and General Secretary, Mr Onyenachi Nwaegeruo.
The fellowship said it was not impressed by President Buhari’s condemnation of the terrorists, adding that the President had not only benefited from disunity orchestrated by religion, “he has over the years been an advocate of religious intolerance”.
It added: “It is for this reason that the NCGF is of the opinion that although Boko Haram and its murderous activities are a threat, this does not constitute as much a threat to our national unity as the hypocrisy of the political class, especially those who use religion to achieve their political goals, among whom Mr President is a major actor…”
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