UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

Transcription

1 UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA Department of Biochemistry 1 TOPIC: THE LUKEWARM AlTlTUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES CONSTANT RELIGIOUS CRISIS: CAREFULLY EVALUATE THIS ASSERTION A term paper prepared in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course G.S.P. 104 (Social Sciences II) UGWA FRIDAY EMENIKEUWA 2007/ LECTURER: MRS. J.I. UGWU JUNE, 2008.

2 TITLE PAGE "The lukewarm attitude of the government encourages constant religious crisis: carefully evaluate this assertion"

3 DEDICATION I dedicate this piece of work to the Nigerian government, Christians and Muslims leaders and students as well who are expectant leaders of tomorrow with every assurance that it will help us to understand our responsibilities in the work of maintaining peace in the country.

4 iii PREFACE Many people blame religious leaders and their followers in Nigeria for the crisis they cause. This, however, is not wrong. I want to suggest that while blaming them, they should also not leave the government to go scot free. This is because the lukewarm attitude of the government to religious crises gives room to its exacerbation. We shall see this as we proceed on reading this piece of work as it is the main aim for which it is written. This paper is divided into four chapters with chapter one dealing with lukewarmness and religious crisis which incorporate introduction. Chapter two deals with the discussion of some religious crisis in Nigeria while chapter three treats the causes and effects of religious crisis in Nigeria. Chapter four, also the last chapter, enlightens us about the government response to religious crisis in Nigeria.

5 ACKNOLEDGEMENT I would like to offer a prayer of thanks to the lord for giving me the most needed experience to write this paper. Thanks also to my dear parents who propelled me into the fulfillment of my aim by their encouragement and financial support when 1 told them that I was going to write a term paper in partial fulfillment of my course GSP104 (Social Science 11). I am very much indebted to Mr. Edwin Chukwu, a man behind me, who reviewed this work and did some corrections. I am also indebted to Mr. Oma Obiomra, an expert typist, who typed this work to my desire. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my dear lecturer, Mrs. J. I. Ugwu for the variety of ideas she provided with me in the writing of this paper.

6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Title page....i.. Dedication Preface...ill Acknowledgement... iv Table of content... v CHAPTER ONE: LUKEWARMNESS AND RELIGIOUS CRISIS 1. I introduction religious distribution in Nigeria Islam and Christianity as Nigerian religions..., 3 CHAPTER TWO: SOME RELIGIOUS CRISIS TN NIGERIA 2.1 Zango-Kataf religious riots (1992) Kano, Kaduna and Maiduguri riots ( ) Religious crisis in 1999 and

7 CHAPTER THREE: CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF RELIGIOUS CRISIS IN NIGERIA 3.1 Causes Of Religious Crisis In Nigeria Effects of Religious crisis in Nigeria CHAPTER FOUR: THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO RELlGTOUS CRISIS IN NIGERIA 4.1 response to Zango-kataf religious crisis Response to 1999 and 2006 Religious riots Conclusion References

8 CHAPTER ONE LUKEWARMNESS AND RELIGIOUS CRtStS 1.1 INTRODUCTION According to Hornby (2000) to be lukewarm means to not be interested or enthusiastic about something. Wee (2006) defined religious crisis as a violence that is a result of conflict between two or more religions. There are different religions as there is the freedom of worship. People believe in different things and different supernatural beings. These religions sometimes misunderstand one another and it is this which leads to religious crisis. In Nigeria, killing of human beings seems illegal. There is often outbreak of religious crisis which brings many Nigerians to casualties. The most recent religious crisis happened during Obasanjo's administration in This is very surprising because prior to it, many religious crisis had occurred of which the Nigerian government was supposed to prevent b their reoccurrence. The crisis occurs mostly between the two dominant

9 religions in Nigeria, Christianity and Muslims. The country parts that had been affected include Kano in 1982 and 1991, Bauchi in 1992, Zango Kataf in southern Kaduna in 1991, Zamfara and Kaduna in 2000 and the most recent in 2006, during Obasanjo's administration. Joel (1999) wrote this and included that in the Kaduna religious riot of 1992, many churches were burned down and Christian ministers killed, Also, Wee (2006) reported that during Obasanjo's administration, more than 150 people were killed and numerous churches and mosques were destroyed. The above is just to mention but a few when consideration is given to the thousands of people and properties destroyed during other religious crisis which occurred in the country. 1.2 RELIGIOUS DlSTRl0UTlON IN NIGERIA According to Robert (2000) Nigeria is approximately 50% Muslim and 40% Christian. The remaining 10% follow aboriginal and other faiths. Muslims are concentrated in the northern part of the country. Christians form the. majority in the south. In the western part, none of the two religions is dominant to another.

10 1.3 ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY AS NtGERlAN RELIGIONS The two prominent religions in Nigeria that always fight each other are Christianity and Islam. Although they are offshoots of one religion called Judaism, they have different founders. - CHRISTIANITY: Christianity according to Okeke (2003) is one of the greatest world religions. Christ is the founder and head. Everything about it is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The tenets of Christianity are recorded in the holy bible. - ISLAM: Okeke (2003) also wrote that lslam as a religion was founded by Mohammed in the 7th century b. c. lslam means submission to the will of God. Followers of Islam are called Moslems or Muslims.

11 CHAPTER TWO SOME RELIGIOUS CRISIS IN NIGERIA In chapter one, we saw that religious crisis occurred in many parts of Nigeria and how this has caused the destruction of life and properties. In this chapter, attention will be focused on the detailed discussion of most of these crisis and more of the destruction of life and properties they had caused. 2.1 ZANGO-KATAF RELIGIOUS RIOTS (1992) Opeloye (1992) in the document of socio-political factors in the Christian-Muslim conflict in Nigeria wrote that the conflict in Zango-Kataf in southern Kaduna state illustrates the explosive mix of religious and ethnic rivalry, as well as the highly partial approach of the authorities which has succeeded in inflaming conflict. According to him, the town of tango-kataf is an enclave of mainly Muslim Hausa-Fulani's in an area dominated by the mostly Christian Kataf. b Tension between the two communities has been long-standing. In February

12 1992, rioting broke out over a local government decision to move the market from a Hausa area to one dominated by Kataf. Sixty people died. Worse rioting broke out in may, apparently after Kataf attacks on the Hausa community. The violence spread to Kaduna where it was mainly directed by Hausa against Christians. Several churches were burned down and Christian's ministers killed. The official death toll was 300 but unofficial estimates were as high as several thousand. Over 60,000 people fled their homes. 2.2 KANO, KADUNA AND MAlDUGURl RIOTS ( ) The news of the Nigerian Maitatsine rioting in Kano according to lbrahim (1982) wrote that the widespread dissatisfaction became apparent with the Maitatsine, or Yan Tatsine (followers of the Maitatsine), a quasi-muslim fringe group who sparked religious riots in Kano in 1980, and Kaduna, and Maiduguri in 1982 after police tried to control thk activities. The disturbance in Kano alone resulted in the deaths of 4,177 people between December 18 and 29,1980. b

13 In addition, a fringe Islamic cult, known as the Maitatsine, started in the late 1970s and operated throughout the 1980s, springing up in Kano around a mystical leader (since deceased) from Cameroon who claimed to have had divine revelations superseding those of the prophet. The cult had its own mosques and preached a doctrine antagonistic to establish Islamic and marginal and poverty-stricken urban in migrants, whose rejection by the more established urban groups fostered this religious opposition. These disaffected adherents ultimately lashed out at the more traditional mosques and congregations, resulting in violent outbreaks in several cities of the north. 2.3 RELIGIOUS CRtStS 1N 1999 AND 2006 The violence between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria flared again in February 2006 when Muslim outrage at the caricature of the prophet ~uhammad led to a massacre of dozens of Christians in the north, followed by reprisal killings of Muslims by Christians in the south. More that 150 4

14 people according to Wee (2006) were killed and numerous churches and mosques were destroyed. The 1999 religious conflict in Nigeria need to be seen in the context of a long and complex history in which religious loyalties are invariably mixed with issues of ethnic identity, land ownership and political and economic power. After a century of growing Muslim influence in the north, the civilian government that came to power in 1999 accepted the introduction of Sharia law into twelve northern states that included Bauchi, Niger, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe etc. this set off conflicts with Christian groups that claimed that such laws put them at a disadvantage and violated the Nigerian constitution, which calls for a secular state and freedom of religion. Wee (1999) reported that by some accounts, more than 10,000 people have been killed in Sectarian conflicts Primarily in Kaduna and Plateau states. Some of the conflicts are that it: Prohibit the consumption of alcohol. b

15 Allow caning, amputation of limbs, and beheading as punishment for certain crimes. Requires girls and boys to be educated separately. Requires separate public transportation for men and women. According to Joel (1999) the riot that broke out in Kaduna state appears to be motivated by three factors: Christians and Muslims are almost equal in number in the state. There are tribal divisions which mirror the religious differences. Some groups fear and oppose the new democratically elected governments.

16 CHAPTER THREE CAUSES AND EFFECT OF RELIGIOUS CRISIS IN NIGERIA 3.1 CAUSES OF RELIGIOUS CRISIS IN NIGERIA Several factors are responsible for the religious crisis in Nigeria. These are discussed below - The dogma each religion wants to propagate: as each religion has its own set of belief, they therefore maintain this belief and want other religions to accept it without argument. Because of this, there is often clash of interest hence leading to conflict and violence which in turn lead to the loss of human and material resources. - Criticism of one religion against another: Watt (1979) stated that Muslims are not happy whenever non-moslems call their religion Mohammedan which implies the worship of Mohammed, their prophet rather than God. This sometimes results to crisis. Example, the vio'lence between Muslims and Christians in February 2006 resulted when Muslims outrage at the caricature of the prophet Mohammed

17 lead to a massacre of dozens of Christians in the north, followed by reprisal killings of Muslims by Christians in the south. Adoption of Sharia in the northern states: as we have seen in chapter two, some of the practical effects of Sharia are that it prohibits the consumption of alcohol; allows caning, amputation of limbs, and beheading as punishment for certain crimes; requires girls and boys to be educated separately; and requires separate public transportation for men and women. Some of these do not favour Christians and for this they protested the imposition of Sharia. The outcome was a religious riot in 1999 during Obasanjo's regime. Ethno-political factors: this play a significant role. Religion, often serves to provide an ultimate justification for a particular political or ideological position or for a worldview that encompasses other dimensions of life. This is certainly the case with respect to religious strife in Nigeria. - Socio-economic considerations and religious fundamentalism: this was responsible for the Zango-Kataf religious riots in Kaduna state in

18 1992. Rioting broke over a local government decision to move the market from a Hausa area to one dominated by Kataf. 3.2 EFFECTS OF RELIGIOUS CRISIS IN NIGERIA The summary of the effects of religious crisis in Nigeria are given below (1) It destroys life and properties (2) It hinders immigration (3) It causes political instability (4) It creates enmity between the ethnics groups involved (5) It damages the unity of Nigerian society (6) It leads to the violation of the national constitution

19 CHAPTER FOUR The government response to religious crisis in Nigeria The authenticity of the lukewarmness of the government in their response to the religious crisis in Nigeria could be seen in their inability to control and prevent the recurrence of the event in the subsequent years after the first crisis experience so far. Their attempt to control the most recent years crisis, example 1999 and 2006 crisis was yet dull even though that more people and properties were devastated. We shall no delay scrutinize the government responses to Zango-Kataf religious crisis and that which broke out in 1999 during the outset of democracy and RESPONSE TO ZANGO-KATAF RELIGIOUS CRISIS According to Udoka (1991) the official response to the violence between Zango and Kataf was to arrest hundred Katafs, most of whom were held without charge. Six prominent Katafs, including Major-general Zamani Lekwot, a former ambassador, were charged with complicity in the riots before a specially constituted civil disturbance special tribunal. The prosecutions withdraw its case, but the accused were rearrested by security

20 agents as they left the court. In September 1991, they were charged again, with a total of 14 people being sentenced to death by two civil disturbance tribunals, including Major-general Lekwot. The hearing had all the same defects as the tribunal which heard the case of Ken Saro Wiwa and other Ogoni activists, since they were constituted under the same law. In this instance, the government commuted the death sentences to five years imprisonment. 4.2 RESPONSE TO 1999 AND 2006 RELIGIOUS RIOTS Wee (1999) wrote: although the imposition of Sharia violates the secular, national constitution, there was initially no move by the national government to overrule its implementation. The conservative Christian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, said that he expected that "the issue will die off soon" human rights law service, a leading human rights group, filed a law suit to stop the implementation of Sharia in Zamfara, a second suit has been filed in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria. From the above responses, we see that the government response to the religious crisis was dull. We can imagine the then president, chief

21 Olusegun Obasanjo saying that he expected that the issue would die off soon, that is the implementation of Sharia that violates the national constitution will die soon. Now, given to the incidence of religious crisis in Nigeria, I suggest that government should wake up and take up the following control measures to minimize it. (1) Religion should not serve as the ultimate justification for a particular political or ideological position or for a worldview that encompasses other dimensions of life as this causes religious strife. (2) Political leaders should not take the two religions in Nigeria, Christianity and Islam as separate religion as this may cause them to love one another especially the one they belong to, and hate another. (3)The two religions in Nigeria should be treated equally in terms of love, provision of amenities, donation of money etc. by the government. This is the cause of religious crisis in Zango-Kataf.

22 (4) Government should make law against religious crisis and this must be passed to every sorts of religion in Nigeria particularly those that cause trouble. (5) Government should prohibit the criticism of one religion against another in Nigeria as there is the freedom of worship. This was the major causes of the violence between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria in February (6)There should be a prohibition to the formation of laws which favour one religion and against another in Nigeria. The introduction of Sharia law favored Muslims but against Christians and this led to the religious crisis that claimed thousands of lives in Nigeria. (7)Government should ensure the use of school system in inculcating the spirit of mutual acceptance and harmonious co-existence, than in the creation of chiefdoms which tend to cause separation and division. There should be general studies programme in every Nigerian Universities and not oply in the University of Nigeria Nsukka.

23 CONCLUSION It is true religious crisis in Nigeria has eaten deep into the fabric of our nation through the thousands of lives it has claimed. It can still be stopped from reoccurring if only the government can scrutinize the effects of it on Nigerians, political stability, socialization, immigration, national constitution, ethnic groups and the unity of Nigerian society. For them to do this effectively, they should first of all find out the causes of the crisis. Most of these are provided in this paper. This, I believe will enable them to know the dimension their anticipation will take. However, the control measures highlighted at the end of the last chapter of this paper will be of immense help in stopping the incidence. Besides the government intervention, religious leaders and worshippers have to understand that God who they serve/worship is not a violence causing God but God of peace and then seek to be in good harmony with their fellow men.

24 REFERENCES Hornby, A. S. (2000). Oxford advanced learners dictionary of current English. (6th ~d.). Joanna Florio, Dilys Parkinson: Sally Wehmeier. Ibrahim, B. (1982, April 11). The news of the Nigerian Maitatsine rioting in. Kano Wuse Abuja, pp. A3, A17. Joel, N. (1999, May 5). Kaduna religious riot. Apapa Lagos, pp. A2, A14. Okeke, V. 1. (2003). Comprehensive textbook in the social Sciences. Enugu: Joen. Opeloye, M. 0. (1992, March 23). The Socio-political factors in the Christian- Muslim conflict in Nigeria. Retrieved may 24, 2008, from N & CPsidt= b

25 Paul, W. (2006). Responding to crisis in Nigeria. New York: Tavistock. Paul, W. (1999, May 15). Responding to crisis in Nigeria. Retrieved May 24, 2008, from htt:// Nigeria. Robert, 0. (2000, March 19). Crisis in Nigeria. ACNCS news services, 8, Retrieved May 24, From the Anglican Communion office search database. Udoka, U. (1991, September 18). Response to Zango-Kataf religious crisis. Retrieved May 29, From a Watt, M. M. (1979). What is Islam? London: Longman.