The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, has condemned the closures of both private and public schools in some Sharia-practicing states of Northern Nigeria.

Luka Binniyat, the Forum’s spokesperson, in a statement on Sunday, said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must exercise his authority to prevent these states from descending into religious fundamentalism.

“Had former President Olusegun Obasanjo firmly asserted that Nigeria and all its federating units must remain a secular state, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, such issues might never have arisen.

“President Tinubu must learn from this precedent and take a firm stand to safeguard the rights and privileges of all non-Muslims against the oppressive effects of Sharia-based policies.”

The Forum protested the closure of both public and private schools in certain Sharia-practicing states of Northern Nigeria, saying that it is unfortunate that the closure of schools is also binding on Kebbi and Southern Bauchi which are bonafide parts of the Middle Belt.

According to the statement, “This action serves as a stark confirmation of the long-standing fears among non-Muslims in these states—that the implementation of Sharia does not differentiate between Muslims and non-Muslims.”

Binniyat said that it is “deeply unjust” that non-Muslim students and pupils should suffer significant setbacks in their education simply because Muslims in these states wish to fulfill their religious obligations.

He observed that while the students remain at home, their counterparts in other parts of the country will continue attending classes and tutorials, preparing for national examinations that all students must sit for.

The statement observed, “The Middle Belt Forum views this regressive directive as yet another manifestation of Boko Haram’s ideology, which opposes Western education.

“The rest of Nigeria must not take this directive lightly, as it is evident that these Sharia states are gradually distancing themselves from Nigeria’s secular framework.”

The statement noted that the development further justifies the persistent calls by the Middle Belt Forum and the Southern Forum for the restructuring of Nigeria.

It noted that the call has become more urgent as Nigerians continue to witness increasing intolerance toward the collective liberty and freedom of non-Muslims in these states.

Ramadan: Middle Belt Forum condemns schools closure in Northern states