Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Nigerian government says the country is a beacon of peace and stability in Africa, rejecting claims of religious persecution and emphasizing that its national legal framework contains no offence of blasphemy.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Ahmed, said this at the briefing of the members of the diplomatic corps on Wednesday, in Abuja, noting that public-order laws are religion-neutral, protecting all communities equally.
Ahmed stressed that Sharia laws, which exist in some northern states, apply only to Muslims and operate under the oversight of the secular judiciary, explaining that Christian and Muslim institutions continue to operate freely, promoting peaceful coexistence.
“Nigeria’s national legal framework contains no offence of blasphemy. The existing public-order laws are religion-neutral and protect all communities equally from incitement to violence.
“Sharia laws, limited to some northern states, apply only to Muslims and remain under the oversight of the secular judiciary. Christian and Muslim institutions operate freely, promoting peaceful coexistence.
“Nigeria is a resilient and vibrant democracy confronting complex security challenges, not a state of religious persecution. Through its constitution, courts, and security institutions, the Nigerian state remains the primary bulwark against sectarian violence and intolerance,” he said.
The government expressed concern over what it described as “unfounded and disparaging rhetoric over the security situation in the country.”
Ahmed added that it is the government’s firm conviction that the international community will continue on the path of mutual respect and cooperation that fosters peace, prosperity, and harmony.
He stressed the importance of an accurate understanding of Nigeria’s religious and political context, calling it a unique model of religious pluralism within a constitutional democracy.
For More News And Analysis About Nigeria Follow Africa-Press
