Northern elder and spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has clarified that Nigeria was founded as a secular nation through collective effort rather than by followers of any single religion. Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, he addressed growing misconceptions surrounding the country’s historical and constitutional foundation, particularly claims that Nigeria belongs to a specific religious group.
Baba-Ahmed explained that the Nigerian Constitution was drafted through contributions from both Muslims and Christians who were united by a common goal of building a functional nation. He said the constitution was intentionally framed to ensure neutrality in religious matters and to guarantee freedom of worship for all citizens. He noted that attempts to present the constitution as a biased document written to favour one religion over another are misleading and dangerous.
He further stated that Nigeria did not emerge out of a religious movement but from colonial amalgamation under British rule, which brought diverse cultures, ethnicities and faiths together. He pointed out that Christianity became widespread in Nigeria only after colonialism, and those who converted were not involved in establishing the country’s foundation. According to him, Nigeria’s origin and structure were shaped by political, not religious, considerations.
Baba-Ahmed emphasized that despite the challenges of diversity, Nigerians have made significant progress in learning to coexist. He urged citizens to acknowledge the nation’s plural identity and avoid revisionist narratives that fuel division. In his remarks, he said, “The constitution was not written by Muslims, it wasn’t written by the Christians of Nigeria. The constitution was drafted by Nigerians — Muslims and Christians — and they chose to make it clear that Nigeria is a secular country.” He urged Nigerians to uphold unity, tolerance and respect for the constitutional framework that guarantees peaceful coexistence.
Find Verified News At Your fingertips Click The Button Below. ⬇️








Leave a Reply