Biafra agitators should be given fair hearing – Christian Elders

The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), Sunday, called on the Federal government to critically examine the current agitation for the republic of Biafra and give the agitators a fair hearing.

The forum also observed with contempt the impression that only one section of the country with same religion faith is qualified to be the Chief Justice of the Federation.


NCEF in a communique signed and issued in Abuja by its chairman, Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN) after the forum meeting in Jos, Plateau State recently, however noted supported any action capable of causing the disunity and disintegration of the country.

The statement, which raises several national issues to be looked at, submitted that in as much as issue of secession had never been raised since retuned of democracy in 1999 till now, it should be looked into by government with keen interest.

“While the National Christian Elders Forum frowns at, and discountenances any move towards secession by any group in the nation, it firmly believes that the grievances of the agitators for Biafra Republic should be examined and the people should be given a fair hearing.
“It was noted that since the return to democracy in 1999, there has been no such widespread agitation until now,” it stated.

Also, Asemota wondered why it is only one section of the country with Muslim background that is qualified to be the Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), calling on government to look into the matter.

According to him, “The Christian Elders also observe with much concern the impression that is created in the Judiciary that only persons from a section of the country are qualified to be the Chief Justice of the Federation.

“That the Nigerian Judiciary has been garrisoned by a section of the country and a religion is no longer in doubt, however, the dismantling of this anomaly is expedient. Nigeria can only survive and thrive on a tripod of Justice, Equality, and Fairness.”
However, he made it clear that the forum had no personal grudge against the current CJN in the country, calling the government and Nigerians attention to recent appointments of those who hold the defence line of the country.

Vanguard.