Lawyer Challenges ‘Secular’ Label: 73 Sharia Mentions, Zero for Christianity

Human rights lawyer Aloy Ejimakor argues that Nigeria’s Constitution cannot be called secular. He highlights 73 references to Sharia, 28 to Islam and 10 to Muslim but none to Christianity. Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution bars any state religion, yet it also provides for Sharia courts in states that adopt them. Critics say this creates a religious imbalance in our founding document. Ejimakor’s call for a “separate State” has reignited debates on regional autonomy, secularism and fair recognition of all faiths. Many Christian groups point to rising violence against their communities as evidence of the imbalance. In April, a US lawmaker urged sanctions over escalating attacks on Christians in Nigeria and Syria. He cited a recent Palm Sunday massacre in Plateau State and demanded decisive action to protect religious freedom.

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