The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said the Federal Government violated the constitution by issuing Sukuk bonds.

The General-Secretary of CAN, Rev. Musa Asake said this in a recent interview with Punch.

Background:

• CAN had alleged that the Federal Government was gradually trying to islamise Nigeria by issuing Sukuk bonds.
• The Supreme Islamic Council however responded stating that CAN has shown to be Islamophobic.
• The Federal has said the bonds were oversubscribed.

What CAN said:

• The Sukuk bonds is a sharia-bond loan, which favours a religion.

He said, “Section 10 says no government, state or federal, should favour one religion. But if you observe the things that are happening in this country, they are happening in favour of a particular religion. The Sukuk loan is a Sharia-bond loan. Sharia is Islamic. That is why we sought to get the attention of the government.”

He asked the government to reverse the loan, stating that CAN will take steps against the bonds.

“From the little I know about Sukuk bonds, anything that money is used for, is shared with Saudi Arabia. It’s an Islamic thing and I believe that if this money was from a Christian perspective, the Muslims would not agree. So, all we’re saying is that the government is supposed to be for all Nigerians. Don’t fight one religion. We have written and we are going to take steps,” he said.

“If it means going to court, then we will.”

Azeez