Muslim, Christian clerics in Zaria warn against agitation for Nigeria’s dismemberment

Both Muslim and Christian clerics in Zaria have warned against Nigeria’s disintegration as agitated by some groups in the country,saying that all patriotic Nigerians should continue to promote the unity and peaceful coexistence of all citizens.

The clerics who gave the admonition are, Most Reverend Ali Buba Lamido, the Arch Bishop of Anglican, Wusasa Diocese and Sheik Dalhatu Kasim, Chief Imam of Central Jumu’at Mosque, Zaria City in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

While reacting to the various agitations across the country threatening the peace and unity of the nation, Most Reverend Lamido said that Nigeria should remain as a republic while insisting  that the past leaders had fought for the unity of the country.According to him, “the disintegration as some groups are agitating in order to have their own state will not help the matter but destroy the effort of the past leaders.”

Lamido argued that it was only a round table discussion or dialogue with those who felt marginalized, and to find out if at all they were marginalized as they alleged that would  help  matters.

According to him, what is now crucial is to bring everybody on board by inviting the aggrieved parties through their various elder statesmen and show them the dangers involved in the disintegration of any nation.The clergy further advised all citizens that in the interest of the oneness, they should jettison  all emotions, sentiments, tribalism, ethnicity and regionalism and work selflessly in order to remain as one nation.

Besides, Sheik Dalhtu Kassim Imam, who spoke in an interview, explained that the agitation for the disintegration of the country would not bring about any development to any group, rather it would bring about setback.

According to the Sheikh, though the agitation was informed by what he termed injustice or lack of equity by those at the corridor of power, however, he stated that citizens should forget about the present condition in the country in the interest of peace.

The Chief Imam further stressed that in order to address the problems confronting Nigerians, there was need for a round table discussion with elders of the various groups but not through confrontation or violence.

The cleric said that that the amalgamation of the Nigeria by the colonial masters was done in good faith so that the nation should remain as one entity, as he further advice all Nigerians to respect their past leaders by appreciating the struggle they made in uniting the country instead of destroying it.