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Security agencies must act against provocative religious remarks – Enenche

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Pastor Paul Enenche criticized security agencies for not inviting Islamic cleric Sheikh Muhammad Jingir over his remarks advocating a Muslim-Muslim political arrangement.
  • Enenche argued that such statements provoke religious tension and violence, and that Christianity is not subordinate to any religion in Nigeria.
  • He warned against taking the Christian community for granted and questioned why individuals making reckless statements are allowed to do so without consequence.

Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Paul Enenche, has criticized Nigerian security agencies for their inaction regarding recent comments made by Islamic cleric Sheikh Muhammad Jingir. Jingir had advocated for a Muslim-Muslim political arrangement, a stance Enenche believes is capable of provoking religious tension and violence.

Christianity is not secondary, and no group of religious fanatics will ever make it secondary. Not you, not any political group of people will ever make Christianity secondary to any.

— Paul EnencheAsserting the equal standing of Christianity in Nigeria.

During a sermon, Enenche stated that security agencies should have summoned Jingir for questioning. He emphasized that Christianity is not secondary to any religion in Nigeria and that no group of religious fanatics can diminish its standing. Enenche questioned the lack of consequences for individuals making what he described as reckless statements, arguing that such impunity threatens national peace and security.

I blame security forces for allowing people to make reckless statements. You allow them still moving on the road, allow them still moving, not knowing that such a statement can incite instant violence.

— Paul EnencheCriticizing security agencies for inaction on provocative religious remarks.

Enenche warned authorities against allowing individuals to make inflammatory remarks without repercussions, suggesting that such leniency could incite immediate violence. He asserted that people are damaging the nation while walking free and speaking without accountability. The pastor also cautioned against underestimating the Christian community, noting their continued calmness despite provocative statements.

People are messing up and destroying the nation; they are walking free of charge, and they are talking.

— Paul EnencheExpressing frustration over the lack of accountability for inflammatory statements.

The cleric rejected any notion of Christian inferiority in Nigeria, highlighting the significant presence of Christians across the country. Jingir's comments, which advocated for Muslims to vote based on their numerical strength, had generated controversy. Jingir, Chairman of the Ulama Council of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, stated he has no regrets over his position on Muslim-Muslim tickets, asserting he held this view long before the current administration.

Nobody should take the church in this nation for granted. Don’t take the church for granted.

— Paul EnencheWarning against underestimating the Christian community.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.