Gwoza Christian Forum Accuses Borno Government of Neglecting IDPs, Marginalising Christians

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Gwoza Elite Forum, a prominent Christian group in Borno State, has voiced deep disappointment over the alleged deliberate neglect of Christian Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state, despite ongoing resettlement efforts by the government.

Speaking at the third Gwoza Christian National Conference held in Maiduguri on Saturday, the forum’s president, Emmanuel Ibrahim, commended Governor Babagana Zulum for his policy on returning IDPs and refugees to their communities.

A file photo of an IDP camp in Yobe

However, he sharply criticised the exemption of over 5,400 Gwoza Christian IDPs from the Shuwari and Wulari camps in Maiduguri metropolis from these initiatives.

Ibrahim also raised concerns about the complete absence of Christian councillors in 13 wards in Gwoza Local Government Area that are predominantly inhabited by Christians, describing it as clear religious sidelining.

He urged political leaders to appoint a reasonable percentage of Christians as legislative aides and special assistants, and to ensure they benefit from various empowerment programmes.

“We recognise His Excellency, Prof Babagana Zulum, for his laudable policy of relocating, reintegrating, and repatriating IDPs,” Ibrahim said.

The issue of Christian participation in politics has been an issue of great concern for us in the state.

“However, to the disillusionment of this forum, the state officials had exempted over 5,400 Gwoza Christian IDPs… In Gwoza, there have been concerns about the treatment of our people who sought refuge in the Republic of Cameroon.

Gwoza refugees were offered only N500,000 with some food items without an apartment for a household, but in Bama and Banki, refugees were assigned two bedrooms with some food items.”

The forum further condemned what it described as scheming by ruling party stakeholders to deny Christians chairmanship and councillorship positions in wards where Christians form the majority.

In his remarks at the conference, the Chairman of the Borno State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. John Bakeni, encouraged greater Christian participation in politics.

Christians are not participating as they should in politics.

He rejected the perception that politics is a “dirty game,” stressing that it is a vital system of governance.

“The issue of Christian participation in politics has been an issue of great concern for us in the state,” Bakeni said.

“Politics is not a dirty game, rather, it is a system of governance… Christians are not participating as they should in politics, and for me, I have always encouraged that they should get involved and be part of it.”

The conference underscored persistent concerns about marginalisation and called for equitable treatment and inclusive representation of Christian communities in Borno State as the nation prepares for future political engagements.

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