Buhari’s ex-aide faults CAN’s lawsuit threat over Ramadan school closures

Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has questioned the threat of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to sue some state governments over their plan to close schools due to the ongoing Ramadan fast observed by Muslims.

CAN, on Sunday, issued an ultimatum to the governments of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states, demanding a reversal of their directives mandating a five-week closure of schools for the Ramadan fast.

In a statement issued in Abuja, CAN President Daniel Okoh criticised the policy, highlighting its potential to worsen the educational crisis in the affected states, which already account for 44% of Nigeria’s out-of-school children.

Reacting on Monday via a post on his official X account, Ahmad said that no matter how much he wanted to stay away from this topic, it was difficult to ignore the way it had been framed.

“With all the student bodies and civil society organizations in this country, why does it have to be the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that is threatening these state governments with legal action on this issue?” he asked.

“One of the biggest challenges we face as a nation is how quickly policy matters turn into religious battles.

“In this case, CAN has taken the lead in challenging state governments over a matter that student unions or education-focused advocacy groups should have engaged in.

“Let’s assume CAN wins this legal battle. How would it be viewed if MURIC (Muslim Rights Concern) or any other Islamic organization decided to take legal action against states that close schools in December for the Christmas break?”

Ahmad said that instead of taking a sectarian approach, CAN should have allowed neutral stakeholders, such as student unions, education boards, and civil rights organizations, to engage these state governments constructively rather than turning it into a religious debate.