The Christian Association of Nigeria says it will go ahead with its nationwide protests against the lynching of Deborah Yakubu, a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, who was stoned to death and burnt for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.
This is despite a ban on religious protests by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; an appeal by Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, and moves by some northern governors for CAN to shelve its planned protests.
Also CAN chapters in Plateau and Benue states, which are the umbrella bodies for churches in the two states, said they would organise protests against Deborah’s killing.
The spokesman for the CAN President, Rev. Bayo Oladeji, said the protests would hold on Sunday nationwide. Oladeji, however, said the protests would take place in front of CAN secretariats in various states or major churches, adding that there would be no procession.
Responding to a question, the cleric said, “Of course, the nationwide protests will continue. We are not going to take to the streets so nobody should stop us from gathering in front of our premises. We will be by CAN secretariats and lift up our placards.
“In cities where there are no CAN secretariats, we will use big churches to stage protests. We know too well that if we take to the streets, they will use thugs to hijack it. So, we will gather in front of our churches. We are not going to take to the streets.”
Also the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, said CAN had not informed the police of any demonstration. He, however, said the Christian body had the constitutional right to protest.
Adejobi said even though CAN had said it would not be a street protest, there was a need for the Christian body to ensure that the demonstration was conducted in a responsible manner such that it would not lead to a breakdown of law and order.
He added, “We heard of the planned protests in the news and of course, everyone has a right to protest in a lawful manner but it must be done in such a manner that it must be done in a calm and mature manner so that it doesn’t worsen issues.”
Plateau govt bars protest
But the Plateau State Government said it would not allow any protest in the state in connection with Deborah.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dan Manjang, made the government’s position known in an interview in Jos on Tuesday.
While condemning the manner the student lost her life as unjustifiable, he warned CAN in the state against joining such protests as doing so would contravene an existing law in the state.
The commissioner said, “We won’t allow the protest. There is a law banning public protests in the state and as a government, we won’t welcome any form of protest.
“We are working with security agents to ensure it does not happen. This is important so that miscreants won’t take the opportunity and hijack the protest to cause confusion in Plateau. So, if they (CAN) trespass against the provision of the law, the law will take its course.
Plateau CAN insists on protest
The Plateau State chapter of CAN insisted that it would go ahead with the planned protest despite the ban by the state government.
