[allAfrica.com]  [The_Leon_H._Sullivan_Summit_Dinner]


President Obasanjo Writes Sultan, Kano Gov, Says 'Enough is Enough'

Vanguard (Lagos)
NEWS
May 19, 2004
Posted to the web May 19, 2004
Abuja
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday wrote separate letters to the Sultan of
Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido, and the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji
Ibrahim Shekarau, to stop the acts of violence and destruction in Kano.
While he appealed to the Sultan to embark on a comprehensive enlightenment and
education of those who indulge in the slaughtering of innocent Nigerians, he
warned the Kano State government that "the Federal Government will henceforth
not tolerate any act of violence in the state" Praising Sultan Maccido for
visiting Kano State to see the situation of things, the president, however,
observed that:
"What we have in Kano is a chronic situation whereby there is an ethnic dispute
or clash anywhere, bordering on religion directly or indirectly, Muslims of any
sect and at any level in other parts of Nigeria, but particularly in Kano, take
it upon themselves to slaughter innocent people from other parts of the country
based on ethnicity, religion or social situations as reprisal. This must be
seen as gravely tainting the Islamic religion and its reputation." Wanton
killing of others and destructions of property including churches and mosques
by any group in Nigeria can only be an act of infidels. Such actions give the
religion of Islam, which is a religion of peace, tolerance, social justice,
hope and accommodation, a bad image and a bad reputation.
"It also gives a great majority who are responsible, respected, peace-loving
and honourable adherents of the religion a reputation that they do not deserve.
Your eminence, we have challenges before us in Nigeria: To re-grow the economy
and reposition our country for stability, development and democracy.
"We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted by evidently orchestrated and
senseless acts of violence and destruction." We as leaders should be perceived
and seen to be in the forefront of promoting tolerance, inclusion,
accommodation, and social justice to the benefits of all Nigerians irrespective
of faith or ethnic background. I appreciate what you and others in Nigeria
Inter Religious Council (NIREC) are attempting to do in this regard." In his
letter to the Kano Governor, the President urged him to "use your position as
well as the resources available to you to make amends, reassure the people of
the state, and show and be seen to be committed to a new approach to peace
building and acts of responsibility in Kano.
"Neither Islam nor Christianity condones or teaches violence,"adding that the
situation in Kano "is so bad that the highly regarded ancient city of Kano that
has produced some of our best leaders in Nigeria has rapidly acquired a sour
reputation for intolerance, murder, violence, and political rascality. This is
unfortunate and any political leadership in Kano should be seriously concerned
about this."
He told the governor what was expected of him, saying: "Mr. Governor, what I
expect of you is that you will use your God-given position to construct viable
and transparent bridges of dialogue, accommodation, tolerance, social justice
and peace. I expect of you to understand the nuances of political action and
that given the antecedents of the city as well as the situation in parts of the
country, that allowing demonstrations would only provide opportunities for
hoodlums and opportunities to precipitate violence," he said.

   

  =============================================================================
   Copyright © 2004 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica
                         Global Media (allAfrica.com).
  =============================================================================