Get Guardian on GoogleA group, the Muslim Congress (TMC), has faulted plans by the Edo State government to transfer 36 public secondary schools to the Catholic Church and other Christian missionary organisations.
The group, led by Ismail Muthair, described the move as discriminatory and a dangerous affront to Nigeria’s secular principles.
Muthair, in a statement, noted that many of these schools sit on lands originally donated by Muslim communities under the belief that they were contributing to public education, not religious indoctrination.
The group maintained that the move, predominantly affecting Edo North Senatorial District, a Muslim-majority region, is unconstitutional and discriminatory, and demanded an immediate reversal of the policy.
It called on the National Assembly and civil rights groups to urgently intervene, to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the state.
“We, therefore, call on Governor Monday Okpebholo to uphold his oath of office by ensuring that public education remains neutral, accessible and equitable for all citizens, regardless of religious affiliation.”
The group reminded that the constitution prohibits the adoption of any state religion and guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
“By surrendering public schools, built and maintained with funds from taxes paid by citizens of all faiths to Christian bodies, the Edo State government is effectively endorsing one religion over others, violating constitutional provisions on equality and secularity of the state.
Besides, it argued that the schools being returned are not the same institutions taken over by the government decades ago, as they have been expanded, upgraded and sustained with public funds, making the handover a gross misappropriation of collective resources.
“Okpebholo’s failure to consult Muslim stakeholders, education boards, or affected communities before this decision is a deliberate exclusion of Muslim voices and a blatant disregard for inclusive governance.”
It urged the government to halt the move, warning that failure to do so will deepen religious divisions, erode public trust, and set a dangerous precedent for institutionalised discrimination.
