Oritsejafor’s vituperations against Etsu Nupe
Therefore, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), should not take for granted the silence of our respected Emirs, and other amiable Muslim clerics, particularly at this very critical situation the country finds itself. If one will ask what must have been the rationale behind CAN President’s vituperation at a maiden […]
Therefore, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), should not take for granted the silence of our respected Emirs, and other amiable Muslim clerics, particularly at this very critical situation the country finds itself. If one will ask what must have been the rationale behind CAN President’s vituperation at a maiden speech as a re-elected president of a religious organisation such as CAN. He thought he could be provocative and or instigate his followers against the Etsu Nupe, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar.
Well, the pastor should be informed that Islam abhors inflammatory statements and does not encourage unguarded utterances, especially in this sacred month of Ramadan, of which its main teaching is the control of anger and tension. We are not oblivious of the CAN President’s scabrousness ever since he became CAN President. In fact, it is no longer news that the way he trifles on issues with radicalism has become a source of concern to those who care. Hence, I make bold to say that his reelection is a mistake to the Nigerian Christians that love peace and preach peace!
Moreover, with his lean knowledge of Islam vis-à-vis Christianity, it behoves me to state that such characteristics of his has given room for shabby and sober relationship between him and other major Christian blocs which he leads, for instance the Catholics. Onlookers will agree with me that since Oritsejafor became the President of CAN, the meeting of NIREC has not been regular, whereas the body is supposed to bring about mutual trust and better understanding between the two religious bodies that form NIREC.
Nonetheless, Oritsejafor should note the following: Islam does not encourage its adherents to castigate other people of the faith or fabricate lies against them, but encourages that once the community of Islam is frequently maligned, then it is incumbent upon the community to defend itself, hence the need for this write-up. Though, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor got the Emir very wrong, possibly because of the CAN President’s malicious intention to smear his revered personality. If not so, why will a first class Emir and a custodian of the people’s culture, tradition and belief be said to have abducted the daughter of a pastor? What is the intent and why during a maiden speech for such aspersions and more worrisome at a period that the country is witnessing series of insecurity?
However, assuming that such a criminal act of abduction has occurred, aren’t there legal instruments to be used? Or is Oritsejafor trying to incite some of the Christian zealots against the Muslims and or His Royal Highness? Has Oritsejafor lost confidence on his lieutenants that are following the matter here in Bida? Well, I am not surprised because the likes of the current CAN President have displayed high level of intolerance, arrogance and unguarded utterances in recent years, which are inimical to peaceful co-existence in a country like Nigeria. None the less, he is more or less re-affirming his hate on Islam, Muslims and their leadership in Nigeria.
For the avoidance of doubt, Oritsejafor should know that leadership is all about trust and competence, therefore once these components and many others are missing, then be rest assured that the much desired expectation will be cajoled, as being witnessed under the leadership of Oritsejafor.
Therefore, I make bold to say that Pastor Ayo has a hidden agenda of maligning Muslim leadership at all levels and he better be advised to desist from that ungodly act. It is manifest that from all indications, the CAN President seems not to understand the teaching of the bible, hence the need for him to carefully study the bible and understand its teachings, especially as it has to do with statements that pertain public consumption.
Above all, Pastor Ayo should know the implication of his utterances, as an acclaimed spiritual leader is not supposed to utter statements like ‘…abducted a daughter of a pastor and kept her in his palace…’ Haba, how can an Emir of his calibre abduct a daughter and for what benefit? It is therefore incumbent on the CAN President to expatiate on what his motives are. We owe him clarifications and a stitch in time saves nine.
It is also worthy to note that we have a lot of reservations about the person of the CAN President, due to the way he do ventilate on many national issues, but because of the magnanimity of the northern Muslim Emirs through the Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC), we do not have any option than to accommodate him, but with unfolding scenarios we have been vindicated about the position we hold.
Lest I forget, the essence of this write up is to let the public know what Pastor Ayo deliberately thwarted and fed the public with trifling information. It is all about a female student of 25 years of age or so, that reverted to Islam, which the likes of him were very uncomfortable with for reasons best known to them. It may interest the public to know that CAN representatives met His Royal Highness at his palace over the same matter and the issue is now a litigation matter, i.e. before the court of law, therefore I rest my case. But what baffles me is the double standard of CAN under Pastor Ayo? Pastor Ayo should learn decorum in speech and also know that leadership is all about humility.
Bida is one time Acting National Secretary-General of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria.