THE COMRADE

If Christians in Northern Nigeria can be imprisoned for preaching their faith, while armed terrorist groups attack, kill, and kidnap Christians, then serious questions must be asked about the safety and religious freedom of Christians in the North. How can Christians feel safe in an environment where they fear persecution for practising their faith and face threats from armed Islamic Fulani groups? I believe Nigeria must have an honest conversation about its future. One proposal worth discussing is a peaceful restructuring that allows Muslim-majority and Christian-majority regions to have greater autonomy and govern their affairs according to their people’s choices, with constitutional guarantees for minorities. Nobody should be forced to live under religious persecution, denied freedom of worship, or subjected to violence because of their faith. Religious freedom, security, and the right to self-determination must be protected for everyone.