Rein in on Muslim extremists destabilising Nigeria, Christian group challenges President Tinubu

The Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN) has issued a blistering call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, warning that Muslim extremists are “destabilising” the nation and must be reined in before they “set the country on fire.”

The demand follows a fierce war of words with the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, over comments made by respected Christian leader Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor .

In a statement by Executive Secretary Bosun Emmanuel, the CSMN accused the NSCIA of “deliberate distortion” after it claimed Oritsejafor labelled 90-95% of criminals as Muslims . The group insists the cleric actually stated that “99.9% of those who are practising and making [insecurity] thrive are Moslems, not Christians” .

“The Christian community has been patient under intensive provocation, and the mischievous distortion of narratives should not continue to be tolerated,” Emmanuel declared, asserting bluntly that “Muslims are responsible for the terrorism in Nigeria” . The CSMN demanded the government task the Sultan, who they note is also the traditional ruler of the Fulani to “call his followers to order” for the “carnage” inflicted on the nation .

‘Moral Ground’ Questioned

The explosive response from CSMN was triggered by a recent NSCIA statement warning the Federal Government to act decisively before Muslims “run out of patience” over alleged marginalisation . The Christian group expressed “shock” at the Islamic body’s impudence, questioning its “moral ground” to issue warnings while Islamic insurgents have caused destruction since 2009 .

“We are appealing to President Tinubu to call his religious compatriots to order,” Emmanuel stated, as reported by The Guardian, accusing extremists of using “unbridled religious fervour” to disorganise Nigeria .

‘Taqiyyah’ Accusations

Adding a particularly volatile layer to the dispute, the CSMN accused the NSCIA of practising “taqiyyah”, a doctrine permitting dissimulation in defence of Islam, regarding a recent kidnapping in Oyo State . The CSMN dismissed NSCIA’s claim that a suspect was a “Christian pastor,” asking rhetorically if a Christian would demand Sharia law as ransom, behead a teacher, or “recite the Lord’s Prayer” while committing atrocities .

“The NSCIA is hereby placed under caution to be careful with its comments about the Christian leader for expressing the pain and anguish that Islamic terrorists have been inflicting on the Church and the country,” the CSMN warned .

The calls for presidential intervention and the sharp religious accusations underscore the deepening rift in Nigeria, with the CSMN urging national cohesion while simultaneously accusing Islamic leadership of “gaslighting” the government and the Christian community .