The NSCIA said the NSCS president, Dr. Datti Ahmed, was speaking for himself when he launched attacks on the critics of Islamic banking and vowed that Muslims would fight “to the last drop of their blood” to ensure the introduction of the system.
“Muslims cannot go to war over the issue of Islamic banking in Nigeria. That is the opinion of the person (Ahmed) and he is entitled to his opinion,” Secretary-General of the NSCIA, Dr. Lateef Adegbite, said in Abuja.
The NSCIA is the foremost organisation of Muslims in Nigeria and its president, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad, is considered the head of all Muslims in the country.In its reaction to the threat, the North’s apex socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, on Monday, had urged Nigerians to be cautious in reacting to the Islamic banking controversy. However, the Forum did not condemn the NSCS.
The NSCIA position came even as the Christian Association of Nigeria’s president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor said on his return to the country on Monday night that he would study the NSCS statement and react appropriately “within 48 hours.”
Oritsejafor spoke to journalists at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
“I have just returned to the country and I have not read it (the NSCS threat). So, it will be very difficult for me to respond comprehensively because what you have just said is heavy.
“Now for the Sharia Council to say they are ready to go to war is a big statement. You see, the problem most times is that they say some of us heat up the polity but they don’t really seem to identify those who are really heating up the polity,” Oritsejafor said.
He added, “Let me settle down. Give me about 48 hours, you will hear from me; but I will be surprised if the Sharia Council thinks the best way to find a solution to a problem and to bring peace to Nigeria is to declare war.
“Violence is not the preserve of one person, anybody can be violent and we don’t advocate that. I will never come out to say we are prepared for war, but you have heard it now. Let me settle down, you will hear our response and they will also get our response. We love Nigeria.”
Adegbite who spoke shortly after the opening ceremony of a two-day national stakeholders’ summit on security and public awareness at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja stated that Islamic bank would not discriminate and urged Nigerians to embrace it. At the event were the Sultan of Sokoto and other dignitaries.
Meanwhile, Niger Delta youths on Tuesday, reacted to the Sharia council’s war threat, saying there was no need for Nigerians to go to war over Islamic banking.
A statement issued by the youths under the aegis of the Niger Delta Youth Parliament said, “We cannot be talking about going to war during President (Goodluck) Jonathan’s administration. It is not that we are afraid of war. Of course our past never showed that we were cowards.
“War is an evil wind that blows no one any good. So we call on the President of the Supreme Council of Sharia in Nigeria to desist from such utterances.”
Ahmed, on Sunday in Kaduna threatened that Muslims in the country would go to war if Islamic banking was not allowed.
The South-South Peoples Assembly on Monday had described the threat as “irresponsible,” while the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, said there was the need to convoke a Sovereign National Conference to discuss the union of the different parts of the country.
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