By Baron Ike
CBN gov Godwin Emefiele and Finance Kemi Adeosun: On demutualisation of NSE
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said that the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is pursuing an Islamic agenda with the introduction of the Sukkuk bond, insisting that Nigeria being a secular state does not guarantee such.
CAN has not only opposed the floating of the Sukkuk Islamic bond by the Federal Government, but is insisting that it is part of the “agenda” to Islamise Nigeria through the back door.
CAN recalled that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had stated that the issuance of Sukkuk by non-Islamic countries is a breach of the religious neutrality of the government of such state, and urged the federal government to do the needful by jettisoning the idea.
It also said introduction of Islamic financing into the country is in violation of Section 10 of the Constitution.
In a statement on Tuesday, September 19 in Abuja by its General Secretary, Rev. Musa Asake, CAN demanded the abrogation of the laws and framework behind the bond and threatened to seek legal redress if the advice is not heeded.
The group said the FG was trying to sell the nation to Arab countries through the Sukkuk bond, arguing that the government is pursuing an ‘Islamisation agenda.’
According to CAN, Nigeria is a secular state and the government is expected to be neutral on issues involving religion, stressing that promotion of a sectional religious financial policy is a violation of the Constitution.
It said: “The Christian Association of Nigeria has been protesting against this aberration since the Osun State Government, under Governor Rauf Aregbesola, embarked on this violation of the Constitution.
“Rather than stand in the defense of the constitution, it is disappointing to note that the Federal Government is pursuing what is, outright, a confirmation of an Islamisation agenda.
“The recent floating of Sukkuk Bond by the government is not only sectional but illegal and a violation of the Constitution.
“Every law that has been promulgated to back the Sukkuk issuance and promote an Islamic banking system in Nigeria is ultra vires, illegal, null and void.
“Therefore, the manipulations and scheming to smuggle the country into a full blown Islamic State should stop.
“These manipulations became apparent with the smuggling of Nigeria into Organisation of Islamic Conference in 1986 by the Ibrahim Babangida military junta.”
CAN said there was never a time Nigeria held a referendum or convened a Constituent Assembly that passed a resolution that the nation has transmuted into an Islamic State.
CAN premised its objections on the grounds that funds raised under Sukkuk could only be used for Shariah-compliant (halal) activities, noting that Nigeria is not a Sharia-compliant nation, but a democratic country.
It explained that Sukkuk is governed by the Islamic law of Mu’amalatmaliyyah, which, it argued, is inconsistent with the Nigerian Constitution.
Said CAN: “The FG must dismantle all legal and institutional framework established to promote Islamic financing in Nigeria.
“We affirm that the territorial integrity of Nigeria is undermined through the issuance of Sukkuk in the country.
“We hope that the government shall desist in its policies of unbridled religious sectionalism.”