Following clashes between the Shiite Islamic sect and the Nigerian army in Zaria, which resulted in the death of scores of people, governors of the 19 Northern states under the auspices of Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), have agreed to ban all forms of processions in the states.
The governors however said the processions could hold if they are done with the permission of appropriate authorities and not in a manner that violates the fundamental rights of other Nigerians, according to Nigerian laws.
The governors have also resolved to support the Kaduna state government to contain the security threat posed by the recent clashes.
In a communiqué read at the end of the meeting by the Borno State Governor and chairman of the forum, Kashim Shettima, the governors said they were worried by the situation in Kaduna state and had resolved to support the Kaduna state government in its efforts to address the situation as well as review the situation as it affects other states.
The NSGF said that after receiving briefing from the Kaduna state governor, Nasir el-Rufai, about the incident, the issues were exhaustively discussed and resolutions were taken to ensure peace and stability in the northern part of the country.
The forum in its resolutions “reaffirmed that all Nigerians should respect the law and constituted authority; and that every organisation, religious or social should operate within the confines of the law.”
The forum “frowned at the arbitrary blocking of high ways through unauthorised processions, causing inconveniences to citizens.”
The Northern governors resolved that “henceforth, procession must necessarily be with police permit and protection as prescribed by law.”
The governors also endorsed all steps taken by the Kaduna state government to contain the situation.
The communiqué expressed support for the Kaduna state government in its decision to constitute a Judicial Commission of inquiry to examine the remote and immediate causes of the Zaria incident.
The governors further reassured citizens of their readiness to maintain law and order while respecting constitutional rights of citizens to practice their faiths in a manner devoid of infringing the rights of others.
The forum called on Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, religious persuasions, sectional or ethnic background to coalesce into a single unit and collectively fight “our common tragedy of poverty, destitution and illiteracy.”
The governors also appealed to the media to exercise restraint and avoid inflaming passion or stoking the embers of division and intolerance and also called on the citizens to report suspicion and concerns to the appropriate authority.
Responding to questions from journalists shortly after the communiqué was read, governor El-Rufai said the leader of the Shiite sect, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky would be prosecuted for any crime he is found to have committed.
He dismissed the demands being made by members of the sect, insisting that “there is a government and a constitution and we are resolved to follow the constitution and due process.”
Earlier, in his opening remarks, before the close door session, Shettima said the NSGF was not in Kaduna to do the job of the Kaduna state government or because there was anything missing in the measures taken by the el-Rufai-led government in the clashes.
He said, “we are very confident in the governor of Kaduna state, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, his competence and character have never come under any doubt.
“Soon after the Zaria crisis, the governor was at the scene and he spoke with the leader of the Islamic Movement and met the Chief of Army Staff. He addressed the people of Kaduna state on Thursday, December 17, 2015 and the government took some firm far reaching measures it considers necessary.
“Malam el-Rufai is the man on ground, he knows the subject matter more than us and he knows the steps he deems most suitable after his extensive consultations. So, we are not here to do his job.”
He however said the governors were in Kaduna in connection with what happened in Zaria, first because the issue has to do with an Islamic group that has membership across the 19 states in the north and beyond, adding that the governors were keen on ensuring that the incident does not provide room for anyone or group to perpetrate violence in any of the 19 northern states, pointing out that the region already has “the serious problems of Boko Haram to contend with.”
“We are not in any way comparing the Islamic Movement with Boko Haram, no. But we don’t want the same mistake that happened over the Boko Haram crisis to repeat itself. When Boko Haram went wild in July 2009 with clashes between them and the police in Bauchi on 25th and 26th in Maiduguri, most Nigerians saw the issues as the problems of Bauchi and Borno.
“When they continued to attack Borno and Yobe, it became the affairs of Borno and Yobe States. All of a sudden, there was suicide attack in Abuja in 2012 and then everything went out of control and we are where we are today.
“So, like I said, we do not make any comparison between the murderously violent Boko Haram insurgents and the Islamic Movement but we are here to analyse and ensure that we take measures that will close any avenue which some people may want to seize to create violence in the immediate or long run. Moreover, Kaduna is the socio-political heart of the northern Nigeria. Kaduna is to us, what Lagos is to the South West. What affects Kaduna State invariably affects the whole north.
“If you notice, we make it a duty to travel to Kaduna to hold our meeting instead of holding it in Abuja. Kaduna is the headquarters of the northern Nigeria but it will have that significance if we accord it the relevance it deserves. We have a duty to preserve history and our values by coming here.
“While here, we will be briefed on the Zaria incident and we will compare thoughts analytically and extensively. We will also be looking any other matter that affects the well-being of the north and we shall brief the media on issues that we don’t consider too security sensitive to make public,” he emphasised.