…Advises Muslim Lawyers Against Interfering In Non-religious Issues :
Biliri Local Government Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN in Gombe Stste, has dissociated itself from the statement credited to the former Chairman of the Association, Rev John Joseph over the Mai Tangle Chieftaincy tussle.
The former CAN Chairman was quoted during Gov Inuwa Yahaya’s visit to the area as saying “the Governor should forgive us for what we did and I urge the Governor to permit us meet the Chief Imam and his people to apologise”
The CAN Chapter also disclaims the presentation made by Rev. Joseph John that only Muslim were affected by the incidence which CAN says was not correct.
Christians, CAN explained, were also affected, their shops were burned, and properties in Gada-uku church were destroyed, while three Christians lost their lives.
A statement by the CAN Ag. Chairman, Rev Isaac Daspan also reminds the public that Mai Tangle stool is not expressly or impliedly attached to Christian or Muslim faith. but purely concentrated for traditional worship of Tangale people.
It’s against this backdrop, the statement said, CAN Billiri Chapter publicly dissociates itself with the statements credited to Rev. Joseph John during the governor’s visit to Billiri on 20th Febuary,2021 saying it was his personal opinion.
The statement reminded the public, that Christianity does not encourage violence or breaking down of Law and order since Jesus throughout his life was not involved in any form of violence or war with any group of people.
According to the statement, CAN has carried out some findings on the ugly act, the immediate and remote cause which it said was purely non-religious but man-made competition on who will occupy the stool of Mai Tangle with the use of available influence within each person’s reach.
It advised the government to investigate who set the motion of provocation that led to the heinous act by hoodlums in order to bring them to book.
CAN Billiri chapter, the statement further said, do not trust the sources of the information used by security operatives in arresting the suspects, as it is only the Christians that are arrested on a daily basis.
It advised the Muslim lawyers against interfering in a non-religious scandal for this would promote disunity and lead to another breakdown of Law and peace.
CAN Billiri Chapter however commiserates with the Muslim ummah for the burning of Mosques and for the Loss of lives and properties. It also commiserates with both Christians and Muslims, that lost their Loved ones.
Relating this to the Bible, the Biliri CAN says the Holy Book teaches them to rejoice with those who are rejoicing and to mourn with those who are mourning.
It applauded the Gombe state government for its prompt action by deploying the security personnel before and after the heinous act
