Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said that Christians are being victimized in some states in the northern Nigeria.
Dogara made the remarks on Sunday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, where he responded to questions on whether Christians are being victimised in the region.
He explained that in several North-Central states, including Plateau, Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa, Christians are not silenced or marginalised, suggesting that people from those states cannot claim that their voices have been suppressed.
However, the former Speaker acknowledged that some areas in the North still experience religious-related challenges, describing the issue of victimisation as complex and dependent on individual states.
Dogara said that while some states allow Christians to practise their faith freely without discrimination, there are “pockets of problems” in certain parts of the region that require attention.
He stressed that addressing such challenges would require cooperation between Christians and Muslims who are committed to peaceful coexistence.
He said: “Think in some part of northern Nigeria, yes. But there are some parts of northern Nigeria where, as a matter of fact, for instance, if you come in from Plateau State, you come from Benue state, to some extent, Taraba, Nasarawa state, and all those, you can’t claim that your voice has been drawn. You understand.”
On whether there is a victimization of the Christian faith in Nigeria, Dogara added:
“That is perhaps a very difficult question to answer, and then it’s on state by state basis. There are absolute states like I’ve mentioned, where, as a Christian, you don’t have any problem. But certainly from what we know, on the feelers we get. There are areas, pockets of problems in certain part of the North that we need to work on, but I believe that it will demand Christians and Muslims who understand working together to be able to take care of these concerns.”