Persecution Memo Sent to Nigeria’s Reform Conference

(Compass) – Leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria submitted a memorandum to the nation’s National Political Reform Conference on June 9, cataloguing cases of persecution and discrimination against Christians. The leaders claim that while the Nigerian constitution professes a secular status for the nation, state governments in northern Nigeria are Islamic institutions whose main task is to promote and propagate Islam using public funds. Twelve northern states have implemented Islamic law. The memorandum alleges discriminatory religious policies, including confiscating mission schools, hiring Islamic religious teachers, and denying land for church buildings. The reform conference is expected to draft a revised constitution that will then be presented to President Olusegun Obasanjo.