Easter Reflections: Mutfwang’s Plea for Peace in a Divided Nigeria

As the Easter Sunday sun rises over Nigeria’s sprawling cities and rural towns, millions of Christians across the country prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But beneath the festive atmosphere, a sense of unease lingers. The country’s deepening divisions, fuelled by ethnic and religious tensions, have created an environment where peace is a luxury few can afford. It is against this backdrop that Honourable Ndam Lui Mutfwang, a Christian politician from the northern region, has issued a poignant call for peace, urging Nigerians to “pray for peace” as they commemorate Easter.

The stakes are high, as Nigeria teeters on the brink of a perfect storm of ethnic and sectarian tensions. The country’s security forces are stretched to the breaking point, struggling to contain the increasingly brazen attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the north-east, while also grappling with the consequences of the #EndSARS protests and the subsequent crackdown on dissent. The economy is in shambles, with inflation soaring and the naira plummeting against the US dollar. And yet, amidst all this chaos, Mutfwang’s message of peace is a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a way forward.

Mutfwang’s call for peace comes at a time when Nigeria’s Christians are facing increasing persecution and marginalisation. The proliferation of hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric has created a toxic environment where Christians are viewed with suspicion and hostility. The attacks on churches and Christian communities by extremist groups have become all too common, with many Christians feeling vulnerable and unprotected. In this context, Mutfwang’s message is not just a plea for peace, but a recognition of the very real fears and anxieties that many Nigerians are experiencing.

But what lies behind Mutfwang’s call for peace? Is it simply a tactical move to paper over the deep-seated divisions that threaten to tear Nigeria apart, or is it a genuine attempt to bring the country together? One thing is certain: Mutfwang’s message is not just about Muslims and Christians, but about all Nigerians. It is about recognising that the country’s problems are not just the result of ethnic and sectarian differences, but also of poverty, inequality, and a lack of opportunities. As Mutfwang himself has acknowledged, the roots of Nigeria’s problems stretch back decades, to the country’s troubled history of colonialism and the subsequent struggles for power and identity.

In many ways, Mutfwang’s message is reminiscent of the efforts made by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in post-apartheid South Africa. Tutu’s message of forgiveness and reconciliation was a powerful tool in bringing the country together after decades of racial oppression and violence. Similarly, Mutfwang’s call for peace is a recognition that Nigeria’s problems are not just the result of external factors, but of a deep-seated failure to address the country’s internal contradictions. It is a reminder that, despite all the challenges and setbacks, Nigeria still has a chance to create a more just and equitable society, where all citizens can live in peace and harmony.

But what does Mutfwang’s message mean for the future of Nigeria? Will it be enough to bring the country together, or will it simply paper over the deep-seated divisions that threaten to tear Nigeria apart? The reactions from different stakeholders are telling. The opposition parties have welcomed Mutfwang’s message, describing it as a “timely intervention” that highlights the need for peace and reconciliation. The ruling party, on the other hand, has been more muted in its response, with some officials describing Mutfwang’s message as “unhelpful” and “divisive”. Meanwhile, civil society groups have hailed Mutfwang’s message as a “beacon of hope” that highlights the need for greater dialogue and understanding between different communities.

As Nigeria looks to the future, one thing is certain: Mutfwang’s message of peace is a reminder that the country’s problems are not just the result of external factors, but of a deep-seated failure to address the country’s internal contradictions. It is a call to action, a reminder that Nigerians have the power to create a more just and equitable society, where all citizens can live in peace and harmony. In the coming weeks and months, it will be interesting to see if Mutfwang’s message will be enough to bring the country together, or if it will simply paper over the deep-seated divisions that threaten to tear Nigeria apart. One thing is certain: the road ahead will be long and difficult, but with Mutfwang’s message of peace as a guide, there is still hope for a brighter future.