Ban CAN, JNI, ACF, Afenifere, others – Sanusi

On January 16, 2013 · In Headlines 12:02 am

BY EMEKA MAMAH, CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, OKEY NDIRIBE & DAPO AKINREFON

LAGOS— CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, yesterday, turned his attention to ethno-religious groups in the country and urged the Federal Government to ban them as a way of curbing insecurity in the country.

Sanusi made the suggestion at an inter-faith dinner organized by the Northern Reawakening Forum (NRF) in Abuja, yesterday.

He also asserted that all ethnic and religious groups in the country were actually political associations donning false cloak.

He said: “I almost didn’t want to attend this occasion because I am opposed to regional, ethnic and religious groupings in this country. In fact, I would like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI) , Afenifere and all such other groups to be banned.”

The call elicited immediate condemnation from leaders of the affected groups, who described Sanusi’s comments as irresponsible. This came as former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh and one-time Permanent Secretary, Ahmed Joda offered suggestions on how to tackle poverty and insecurity in the North.

Elite fan embers of insecurity with religion

Sanusi, who attributed the state of insecurity in the country to a fall-out of the exclusiveness and marginalization which many Nigerians belonging to the younger generation had been subjected to, traced the current insecurity in northern parts of the country to power struggle among the elite who use religion to pursue their goals.

He lamented that despite the fact that the Northern region’s land mass constitutes about 60 per cent of the Nigerian landmass and agriculture contributes 42 per cent to the Nigerian economy, the region remained impoverished.

He blamed the northern insurgency on the selfishness of the nation’s elite which had failed to see the future.

Economic failure, cause of insecurity in the North – Ogbeh

In his remarks, Ogbeh recalled that past northern leaders laid the foundation for a peaceful region by accommodating people of all religious beliefs.

He said: “A former Sultan of Sokoto named Saddiq had a Christian Igbo cook and the late Ahmadu Bello had a Christian doctor.”

Going down memory lane, he revealed that Shehu Malami, a notable Northern Muslim offered him accommodation in Abuja after he escaped assassination in 1998.

He further posited that the on-going insurgency in the Northern region was a fall-out of economic failure in the region, adding he had predicted that the situation would degenerate to the present level over a decade ago.

Sound education remains solution to northern poverty – Joda

Also speaking at the event, Ahmed Joda queried why disease and poverty were ravaging the northern region while industries and economic development was expanding in other parts of the country.

He lamented that all the old industries in the region which were located in Kaduna, Kano and Jos had collapsed. He proposed that for this trend to be reversed, the region needed to give its children sound education.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Chairman of the group Hon. Mohammed Kumalia said NRF had organized programmes in Plateau State to promote peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.

Sanusi’s call a huge joke – Afenifere

Leader of the Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, described Sanusi’s call as a huge joke, countering that banning the ethno-religious groups would not in anyway help combat the wind of insecurity in the country.

Fasoranti, who roared into a laughter when asked his views on the apex bank boss’ comment, said: That is a big joke. We (Afenifere) are not given to violence. We want unity and progress. He is shooting the wrong target. We want progress and improved welfare for our people. They know where the problem of insecurity is coming from. They should tackle Boko Haram. They should talk to their leaders to put their people in check. I n Afenifere, we generate ideas for the society to become vibrant. We don’t preach violence.”

Sanusi is living in the past – Ohanaeze

Outgoing Ohanaeze Ndigbo National Secretary, Chief Nduka Eya, wondered why ethno-religious organisations should be banned, saying Sanusi should not be dignified with a response because his comments were frivolous.

His words: “What is wrong with Nigeria is that everybody has a solution to Nigeria’s problems. Too many cooks spoil the broth. Sanusi does not deserve our response because his comment is frivolous. How can they ban CAN, Ohanaeze, Afenifere, etc? Nobody is going to respond to the nonsense he is talking about.”

Sanusi’s comments capable of breaching security – CAN

On its part, CAN, which said it could not be banned, said Sanusi’s barrage of controversial comments portended more danger to security than any non-religious group in the country.

Secretary-General of CAN, Rev Musa Asake, said: “CAN is not the cause of trouble or insecurity in this country. CAN was formed to protect the interests of Christians, especially in fighting persecution. CAN is not a government institution like NEMA, which any person can wake up and disband. The 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of association and Sanusi cannot just wake up and call on anybody to proscribe it. Sanusi has been making several controversial statements and as a CBN governor, he should not make controversial pronouncements like this one. It is this type of statement that causes problems, not CAN as an institution. It is unfortunate that at a time like this, when Christians are being killed and churches burnt he is making this type of insensitive comment. CAN and JNI have come to stay. We have no quarrels and nobody can curtail CAN’s freedom of association as guaranteed by the constitution.” .

Ethno-religious groups re-enfore national unity – ACF

National Publicity Secretary, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Anthony Sani, picked holes in Sanusi’s call saying banning ethno-religious groups would do more harm than good to the country.

He said: “The existence of different regional and religious fora are not as divisive as posited by Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; precisely because they have overlapping interests whose countervailing forces reinforce the unity of the country. So, their place in the order of things is to advance the cause of national solidarity through relative pluralism and not to promote insular particularism that cannot fit into their place in the order of things. This is because it is easier to bring the people together through such groups and help them unleash their synergy by living up their collective challenges for public good, rather than to allow ‘toyour tent O Israel’ to prevail which is capable of inspiring ethnic nationalism that is not helpful.”

Sanusi is pursuing a hidden agenda – OPC

Founder of the South West militia group, Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr Frederick Fasehun urged Nigerians to pray that somebody like Sanusi should not emerge as the president of the country.

“When democracy is failing, autocracy comes in and we all know that the Governor of the CBN is an autocrat. So, let us all go on our knees and pray to God that he does not come as the leader of this nation,” he said.

Also, OPC National Coordinator, Otunba Gani Adams said the CBN Governor had a hidden agenda for making such calls.

“He is becoming too controversial nowadays because I don’t know what concerns Sanusi with religious bodies and pressure groups. As the CBN governor, his role is to discuss the economy and the financial state of the country. To say CAN, JNI and other pressure groups should be banned shows he has a hidden agenda. Any reasonable person should be careful in delving into religious affairs because it can cause crisis that can consume any country,” he averred.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/01/ban-can-jni-acf-afenifere-others-sanusi/

My favourite Aboki/Mallam has being misunderstood again. All of us know that there is some element of truth in what he is saying. Only that I am not sure if he should be making such statement as CBN gov.

....why not ban religion itself?recalcitrant mullah managing the apex bank of the nation,he constitutes a grave security risk to this country!

Are they just waking up from sleep

I'm with Sanisi on this one. They are indeed political.

If this autocrat and embittered entity called Sanusi make such statement in places like saudi,his head will part from his body. He has obviously lost touch with reality and his relevance with the powers that be. Let him use the remaining blood and life he has left in 9ja public office and go. He is becoming a nuisance

THE MAN IS IS ONLY BRILLIANT ACADEMICALLY BUT NEITHER INTELLIGENT NOR WISE.

AS A MALLAM(TEACHER OF QURAN OR A DEVOUT MUSLIM) HE BELONGS TO ONE POLAR END OF THE RELIGION AND ANYTHING HE SAYS WOULD BE SEEN IN THAT LIGHT. HE SHOULD LEARN HOW TO TALK REASONABLY.

EVEN IF HE HAS A GOOD POINT, PEOPLE WILL NEVER TAKE HIM SERIOUSLY BECAUSE OF HIS ETHNO-RELIGIOUS AFFLIATION.
HAUSA CALLING FOR A BAN OF AFENIFERE;
MUSLIM CALLING FOR A BAN OF CAN;
MUSLIM TALKING ABOUT JAIZ BANK OR ISLAMIC BANKING;

HE IS JUST HITTING THE POLITY.

I thought that man is the Central Bank Governor.

So How does this solve corruption in nigeria? Mtchewww useless people

Sanusi is high on again

Sanusi is on point. He said these organizations are now more political than religious and honour politicians. I don't think they are guiding the leaders of these country aright, else things will be better. What he has said will bring the leaders of these bodies to their senses.

Read Sanusi's comment here. http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/sanusi-wants-arewa-ohanaeze-afenifere-jni-can-banned/136521/

that mam wey dey smoke weed

lets ban everything that has religion attached to it... including sharia banking... mtschewww sanusi don turn to ewu

He is seeking for cheap populiaty.

Tot dis man is d CBN Governor?or is he now the CSO to MR President?

“He is becoming too controversial nowadays because I don’t know what concerns Sanusi with religious bodies and pressure groups. As the CBN governor, his role is to discuss the economy and the financial state of the country. To say CAN, JNI and other pressure groups should be banned shows he has a hidden agenda. Any reasonable person should be careful in delving into religious affairs because it can cause crisis that can consume any country,” he averred.

Best quote in the whole article!
Why is our Central BANK Governor constantly talking about ethnic groups and religions?! He is not a politician. He had a chance to reject the CBN position and be a social commentator but the took the route of being a professional in the government. This is the problem it causes:

If he says he wants to get rid of all these ethnic organizations, and now wants to pass a policy in the CBN, the people that are against his political views in the Nigerian Government will stand against him whether or not his ideas work or are of sound economic reasoning because he has made himself into a polarized political entity.

This is why no major initiative he tries to pass has been met well

Islamic Banks
5000 Naira Note
Subsidy Removal
Introduction of coins


We essentially don't have a CBN governor because nobody trusts him enough to allow him to do his job and he's too arrogant to shut up and face his work as opposed to commenting on the work of others. This is the problem with Nigeria. Everyone has a 'solution' to nigeria's problems, but no solution to the problems that it's their specific duty to solve.

Our pastors are politicians and this church members corrupt and unholy
Our politicians are religious figures
Our 'technocrats' are politicians
Our Police are kidnappers
Our kidnapper are police

Our CBN director is an islamic scholar. Maurice Iwu, a scientist, who recently assisted in a major HIV break through in the US was hired on as a director to monitor elections



In reasonable countries like the United States, you never hear of their equivalent to the CBN director (Federal Reserve Chairman) talking about politics, religion, race, and ethnicity. This is completely foolish because he knows it will jeopardize his ability to do his job. Sanusi needs to be fired. If he knows what it would take to save Nigeria why is our financial situation, what he's allocated to monitor, a complete disaster?

I think the Ohaneze has said it all.
There are somethings that should not pass through your mouth even if they are right, of which Sanusi is not even making sense, even pepper sellers have association, and I'm sure its not only in Nigeria that we have all this associations. I hope he's not nursing any ambition to rule this country, cos with this comment he should be sentenced to death by hanging.

Incude massob and those Niger delta trouble making groups in that list.they cause more trouble than CAN and JNI

Freedom of Association is on the same platform with Right to Life.

What are you insinuating?

That the President use a presidential decree or declaration to implement such devilish and stu.pid suggestion.

ndu_chucks:

You are still not sober. Why are you joining unrelated issues? The federal character issue can only be dealt with through constitutional amendments and we have a process for that, while Sanusi's proposal does not require any constitutional amendment.

You remain as dumb as you were last year when you were Eze. mumu

It's like Sanusi is suffering from hydrocephalus. Is that the way out to insecurity? Scallywag

Just ban JNI and ACF- those ones na coded terrorists, then we fit start with other bans.

Maybe not political organisations but definitely religious n ethnic organisations...which one be afenifere/massob/opc/arewa again......all these are d reasons we csant have a united Nigeria. As for those religious organisations......Bunch of hypocrites

Write to the President to also ban and dissolve any State you don't like.

He should even execute Chinua Achebe for writing "There was a Country" because the book is causing national divide.

Okija_juju: YES!!! I support...

Also ban MASSOB, OPC, BZM, AREWA, MASSOP, NDLF, e.t.c...

Any group that causes divide in any way shape or form should be destroyed.. Use military might if neccessary.. Adjust the constitution to provide for this as well..

I don't feel the relevance of Afenifere in Yorubaland & CAN as a Christian.

We know the religious body that support terrorists, why can't sanusi focus on that one than putting all of them in one basket.
This man talks sense one minute, next minute he will talk nonsense. Is Nigeria the only country where religious groups are found? Which body will speak for christians when churches are being burnt if not CAN. If he is fair with his statement then the banking sector should not be connected to any religion yet this man approved Islamic bank, who is deceiving who? This man sometimes displays lack of wisdom.

While I belive that Sanusi went overboard by commenting on policitcal issue while himself is still a public officer, however his comment surely has substance in it. Most problems in the countries are due to issues that divide the country.

im totally in support with Sanusi on this one, these religious bodies are normal for the people but are now political tools.

Kai, this mallam never cease to amaze me, why he is been address as malla sanusi, yet callin for the ban of religious body, this bastard is a sycophant, let him keep lying to himself. Thank God is becoming clear to his aboki broders that he's now a nuisance not only to himself but the country @large, and to those bastard that says the north has been abandon in terms of economic developement, plz come and tell me which developement is going on in other region that the north has been left behind, from the bgining of this nation u pple hv bn in the helm of affairs, yet u could not develope ur region, beside keep bombing urself and tink u doing jonathan bad, and expect develeopment, idiots