Christian Elders Give FG Knocks For Extending Eid-el-Fitri Holidays

Solomon-Asemota-National-Christian-Elders-ForumA coalition of Christians led by the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has condemned the extension of last week’s public holiday by the Federal Government, describing it as a dangerous precedent.

It, therefore, urged the government and Islamic leaders, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, to repay the country the loss incurred as a result of the extension.

The federal government had earlier declared Tuesday and Wednesday last week, as public holiday to mark the end of Ramadan fast also known as Eid-el-Fitri.

However, following the non-sighting of the moon last Monday and subsequent directive by the Sultan, who is President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, for Muslims to fast on Tuesday, the federal government extended the holiday to Thursday.

SEE: Eid-il-Fitr: FG Declares Wednesday, Thursday As Public Holiday

Condemning the federal government for declaring three days out of five working days in a week as public holiday, the NCEF, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by its Chairman, Chief Solomon Asemota (SAN), also gave the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, knocks, for basing the extension on the Sultan’s directive.

The statement reads: “As Nigerians, we congratulate the Muslims in the nation on their successful completion of the Ramadan fast in 2016. However, we are disturbed by the apparent shoddiness and confusion the Federal Government brought into the declaration of the Public Holiday rounding off the Muslim religious exercise.

“The Federal Government had earlier declared Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th July as Public Holiday only to reverse itself and declare Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th July 2016 as Public Holiday. If this was done before Tuesday was observed as Public Holiday, it would have been tolerable but declaring Thursday 7th as Public Holiday in addition to Tuesday and Wednesday is bad. The implication now is that three days would be work free in the week.

“We are equally appalled that the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau based the decision to declare Thursday as Public Holiday on the directive by the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, to the effect that the Ramadan fast continues today (last Tuesday) as a result of the non-sighting of the moon”.

Key members of NCEF aside Mr. Asemota (SAN) are: Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (rtd); Prof. Joseph Otubu, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), Dr. (Mrs) Kate Okpareke, Dr. Ayo Abifarin, Bishop Joseph Bagobiri, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, Elder Moses Ihonde, Elder Nat Okoro and Prof. Vincent Anigbogu.

Others are Gen. Ishaku Dikko (rtd), Justice Kalajine Anigbogu (rtd), Elder Shyngle Wigwe, DIG P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, Dr. Saleh Hussaini, Elder Mike Orobator, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Justice M. Ogebe (rtd), Mrs. Priscilla Kuye, Chief Debo Omotosho, Dr. Musa Asake, Joseph Daramola, Pastor Olatunbosun Emmanuel (Secretary).

Apart from NCEF, other members of the coalition include Nigerian Christian Graduate Fellowship; Think Tank for the body of Christ; Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria; Association of Christian Schools in Nigeria; Students Christian Movement; Christian Professionals Forum; Intercessors for Nigeria and International Prophetic Ministerial Association (Inc. Worldwide College of Bishops and Ministers: Africa, UK and USA).

The coalition also has Intercessors without Walls; Wailing Women International; Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship; Nigerian Fellowship of Christian Students; Ministers Prayer Network; International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and University Joint Campus Christian Fellowship as members.