Former chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, has advocated a national consensus on the proposed introduction of non-interest banking in Nigeria.
In a statement he issued on Friday on the heels of his 78th birthday, Annenih expressed concerns that the current controversy over the proposal had the potential to further polarise the country along religious lines.
The septuagenarian, who declared that the proposal would appear to be a welcome addition to innovative efforts to bring an otherwise marginalised populace into the mainstream of economic activity, however, pointed out that religious colouration, which had become the downside of the proposal, should be carefully managed.
“I believe that as Nigerians, we should welcome every opportunity to broaden the base of popular participation in economic activities. Poverty has persisted in the country for so long, because the economic space has excluded many disadvantaged groups like the Niger Delta.
“This is part of the explanation of the violence that has continued to blight our national life, to the extent that the very fabric of the nation is currently under serious threat.
“On this score, the introduction of non-interest banking would appear to be a welcome addition to innovative efforts to bring otherwise marginalised populations into the mainstream of economic activity.
“However, every good thing always has its down side. It seems to me that the down side to the concept of Islamic banking is the religious colouration. In a country that is quite familiar with mutual suspicion between the two major religions, those who are promoting this system of banking need to have a good deal of explanations.
“Nevertheless, those to whom these explanations are to be made need to have a listening ear.
“Sadly, explanations have neither been coherent nor have those in need of these explanations been the most attentive listeners.
“We cannot afford any controversy with the potential to degenerate into a religious war.
“As an elder and one who has been involved in the politics of this nation for over 30 years, I am concerned that the current controversy over the introduction of Islamic banking to Nigeria has the potential to further polarise the country along religious lines.
“This concern has been particularly heightened by the pronouncements made in good faith by both the spiritual leader of the Nigerian Muslims and Sultan of Sokoto, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the president, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, which could be misunderstood.”
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