Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, has advised that Nigeria should be divided into two nations to avoid further “bloodshed between Muslims and Christians and the burning of places of worship.”
Gaddafi, in a speech he made to students, praised the example of India and Pakistan, where he said partition had saved many lives.
The British Broadcasting Corporation which quoted the Libyan news agency, Jana, as crediting Gaddafi with the comment, did not say when and where the Libyan leader spoke.
But the BBC, in a report on Tuesday, added that a senior Nigerian diplomat in Tripoli, said he did not take the suggestion seriously.
Gaddafi, who until recently was the chairman of the African Union, described the recent Jos violence as a “deep conflict of religious nature” caused by a federal state, “which was made and imposed by the British in spite of the people‘s resistance to it.”
The Libyan leader said that the partition of India was a “historic, radical solution” which saved the lives of “millions of Hindus and Muslims.”
Splitting India in 1947 caused a breakdown of law and order in which at least 200,000 people died. Some estimates say one million people were killed. About 12 million people were left homeless and thousands were raped.
Although crises in Jos, Plateau State are usually between Muslim and Christian communities, the underlying causes are believed to be a complex mix of political, social and economic grievances.
Nigeria is roughly split between its largely Muslim north, and a Christian-dominated south.
Gaddafi’s advice, however, drew flak from the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria which said it believed that he(Gaddafi) was being used.
The PFN, through its President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said there was no arguement that Muslims and Christians believed in one Nigeria.
It said, “Is that what our Muslim leaders want and they are using Gaddafi to speak their mind? Christians are praying for one united nation.
“I would have dismissed the report but the reality in the country today is Jos, Bauchi and Jigawa.
“We believe in one Nigeria and not the division of the country. We must have respect for one another. Why should the nation be divided, after all, there are strong Christians in northern Nigeria.
“What happens to them if there is division. The solution to the bloodlettings will come when we learn to respect the rights of everyone to freedom of worship.”
A former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola, also faulted Gaddafi’s advice.
Ajibola, who is the founder of the Islamic Foundation for Africa, said that Gaddafi was wrong in taking such position as the problem in Jos was not essentially caused by religion.
He said, “With due deference, Gaddafi is wrong. The problem in the North and particularly in Jos is not intrinsically caused by religion.”
In Abuja, the Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), said on Tuesday that there was no collapse of faith by Nigerians in Nigeria.
Kayode, at an interactive session with members of the justice sector, however, acknowledged that the nation “is facing serious challenges.”
He was quick to add that the challenges should not be interpreted to mean a collapse of faith in the Nigerian system.
The minister also cautioned that the American standard should not be used to judge Nigeria.
He argued that some Nigerians expressed confidence in the country when they win cases in courts while those who lost would say that the country was doomed.
Kayode expressed Federal Government’s readiness to prosecute those involved in the Boko Haram and Jos crises.
“We shall maintain zero tolerance for impunity and extra- judicial killings and other forms of violations of human rights,” he said.
Besides, he harped on the need to implement the Justice Muhammadu Uwais Electoral Reforms‘ proposals especially the areas that would usher in a sound electoral system.
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