Follow Us on Google
Christians in Adamawa State have accused the Federal Government of bias and discrimination in the rehabilitation of the North-east geo-political zone.
The Christians are reportedly drawn from Gombi, Hong, Madagali, Michika, Maiha, Mubi North and Mubi South local government areas of the state.
They lamented the systemic discrimination against them by the federal government, particularly, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the rehabilitation of victims affected by the Boko Haram terrorism.
According to them, all palliatives and interventions initiated by government through the Presidential Committee on North-East Initiative (PCNI), NEMA and the state government have tilted their interventions and humanitarian assistance in favour of Muslims to the outright neglect of the Christian communities in the state.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the leader of the state’s Christian group, Rev. Paul Alhamdu, said: “With great hope and expectations, we have heard announcements and news about relief and rehabilitation coming to our communities.
“Most of our people are not in Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps but with friends and relatives in communities. Relief items brought to the communities are usually taken to the palace of Emirs and traditional rulers.
“The sharing of these relief materials are usually done in discrimination against us (Christians), for example, NEMA brought some relief materials on the 31st March, 2015 in Mubi North and Mubi South local government areas, and our people did not get a share from the relief materials.
“We feel neglected by our leaders at every level. The primary responsibility of government is the security and welfare of its people but our government has not compensated us, neither are we being cared for effectively.
“Series of panels of investigation have been set, many groups have asked for our details and statistics of losses and we have seen reports that have come out of the findings into our situation as a people, but we are yet to see the implementation of these findings.”
He explained that given that the Boko Haram sect perpetually targets Christian communities, schools, churches and businesses, government has not responded to their plight fairly.
“Even though we have heard that the government is investing heavily in restoring North-east, we advise that they check to see how effective it has been.”
Two weeks ago, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) sent a message to acting president Yemi Osinbajo to defend Christians, adding that it is part of his job as a public official.
