by Kolapo Olapoju

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, has chastised Nigerian political leaders for the unabated reign of the Islamic terrorist sect, Boko Haram.

The human rights activist also accused the leaders of promoting religion to divide the country.

Falana made the comments on Wednesday, 12 November, at the 7th edition of Emeritus Prof. David Ijalaiye (SAN) and celebration of his 50th year anniversary at bar and academics, at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile –Ife.

He said, “Boko Haram is fighting and Nigeria is not responding. If we were still under military rule, I would have suspected a sabotage. The problem of Boko Haram is the cause of both Muslims and Christians. We have allowed religion to outshine our reasoning and we now base our fairness on religious ground. There is no law that states that government shall sponsor anybody for religious purposes.”

“Nigeria is a secular state, which allows the right to religion. You are allowed to worship the way you like and go to heaven the way you want without force. But in our case, while (ex-dictator, Gen. Ibrahim) Babangida built a mosque, (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo built a church in the Aso Rock Villa and they are sponsoring them with government fund, they appointed Imams and chaplains respectively.”

Falana also accused government officials of funding insurgency, while adding that it was embarrassing that President Goodluck Jonathan has often been ill advised and unduly commended for his failure to tackle Boko Haram.

“Every region in Nigeria is currently faced with its own insurgent groups, most of which are allegedly sponsored by government officials; and the challenge is usually that when you sponsor thugs, it will get to a stage when you lose control and that was what happened with the Boko Haram sect.”

Kolapo Olapoju