The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has released yet another bombshell. The other time, he called for the sacking of about half of the workforce in the Federal Civil Service. He received a lot of flak for that. This time, Sanusi has called for the ban of ethno-religious organizations in the country, notably, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI), Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Ohaneze and Afenifere, among others.
His reason is that these bodies are political associations in false guises. Sanusi said he is opposed to regional, ethnic and religious groupings and wants these organizations to be banned. As should be expected, the CBN Governor has been berated by concerned organizations and individuals notably, CAN, Afenifere and Ohaneze. They consider his suggestion an irresponsible one and want it dismissed.
The motivation for Sanusi’s call is not far to seek. He is apparently worried by the growing politicization of the bodies and the political garb which they conveniently wear. Ordinary, these organizations are supposed to be concerned about socio-cultural or religious affairs. Unfortunately, it is difficult to achieve a strict line of demarcation between what they preach or do and what politics entails. Their roles, one way or another, dovetail into politics. The admixture between the concept that informed their existence and politics is therefore understandable. In a situation such as this, we are bound to have a scenario where some of the bodies interject and interfere openly in political matters.
When an ethnic group finds itself a victim of destructive politics, its plight will most likely draw sympathy and commentary from an organization that is rooted in its ethnic origins. The same thing is true of religious groups. They speak up or protest when governments fail to address issues that affect the wellbeing and survival of their members. When this is the case, the country finds itself entertaining a situation where a clear line cannot be drawn between politics and the activities of these bodies.
Therefore, as much as we appreciate the circumstances that may have provoked Sanusi’s outburst, we are constrained to submit that his call is not realistic. It is mere wishful thinking. These bodies have become an integral part of the socio-cultural and political configuration of the country. To seek to keep them out of the way is to create a state of siege that may come with certain consequences and disruptions.
The possibility of Sanusi’s call is therefore clearly remote. Beyond the impracticability of Sanusi’s recommendations lies the fact that banning the organizations will amount to a breach of the Constitution. It will flout the basic fundamental human rights of the people as enshrined in Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. The section states that “every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests”. With this constitutional provision, it will be improper to ban these organizations as Sanusi has suggested.
They are protected by the grund norm with which the country is governed. However, Sanusi’s suggestion is a wake-up call for these organizations. The point must be made that some of them have clearly left their original concerns and are now concentrating fully on politics. Even though they are no political parties and cannot, therefore, field candidates for elective offices in the country, their activities and statements have become too political to be ignored.
There is therefore the need for them to moderate their activities in such a way that they will not be too overtly political. We recognize their right to take interest in the affairs of the country. But they need to keep their participation and interest within the limits of their core mandate. If they do that, they will earn more the respect and confidence of Nigerians.
I dnt blem u boko haram
JNI and CAN are doing well. The good idea is to ban groups like jibwis and others that always abuse good people.
These groups are not Boko Haram, they are no threats to lives and properties of Nigerians.
Sanusi can as well call for constitutional amendments and also call for ban on Christianity and Islam since they also are political associations in disguise according to his reasoning. In Nigeria today, it is either we have a christian president and a muslim vp and agitations in this regards abound in every aspect of our existence in Nigeria, so why not ban them all? I wonder why Sanusi derives pleasure in irresponsible and unrealistic outbursts.
Sanusi is a superior thinker that is why he is controversial .
dnt be fast in judgng dis man,d religious leaders or group has conterminated their doctrine /dogma value by deviatng frm d truth God commanded in his holy book,thereby citing politician by nt telling them d truth of is requird of them by collctng money.
Did he mention the ban of islamic banking? Did he mention Nigeria exit from OIC? Did he mention deletion of arabic inscription from our currency? Did he mention the ban of almajiris from roaming the streets? Trust him, he wouldn’t.
I am not a fan of Sanusi because of some of his policies like the smaller banks swallowing the bigger banks. But in this his call for the banning all these groups is a beautiful idea, They are the people causing all these problems here and there in this country.
Sanusi for president. I support you gov.
Dis guy calld sanusi is fast becoming irresponsible de way he profers solution 2 national issues.Recently he advocatd 4 retrenchment of fedral civil servants,islamic banking etc. Yet where dis mr.know all is heading,is curently under probe by Reps over 2bn snowballing.
@Adrema,bravo to you,you have spoken my mind.Sanusi is brainwashed @Elvans,your brain is in your armpit not your head as you failed to glance through other people’s comments. Please read Adrema’s comment.
Those that crucify Sanusi bcos of his timely call for d ban on CAN and JNI are hypocrites who hide under religion to gain advantages over others. The truth is that CAN and JNI are behind most of d so call religious crisis in Nigeria.Instead of preaching morals and fear of God to people they now campaign for politcians who constantly impoverish d common man.It is an Irony that in Nija that Churches and mosques are on increase as corruption and poverty do.So there is a relationship between them.As such ban on CAN and JNI will end corruption and social unrest and malaise in Nigeria.
Mr President must be very careful with Sanusi bcos he has no good vision. We knew dat he is an Al-Queda top BRASS jointly appointed by all Arab Leagues. We re also aware of his assistance to Jaja Weeds extremist in Sudan & Al-Queda in Somalia. we also knew d link between him & late Ghadafi of Libya. He co-ordinate d funding of Islamist extremist world wide. Sanusi should stop pretending.
Thank you so much Adrema because you have spoking my mind. Lamido Sanusi is a time bomb but he is going to blow himself up wen detonated,oh because he knows that CAN,Ohaneze were the organisations that fought him wen he wanted to achieved his evil plans by clamouring for the islamic bank but he failed and who knows more evil plans he has upstairs but i trust CAN,Ohaneze because they will frustrate that his plans,so Lamido Sanusi your evil plans to islamise Nigeria will always fail because CAN,Ahaneze will be countering your evil move,i wonder why mr GEJ still keep silent where Lamido Sanusi is.As for you good for nothing fool that calls himself Ode if you dont know wat to comment in this forum i advice you never to comment in this forum again because you and your accomplice Kolanut Amodu conterminate this forum with your low mentality and brainless contributions.