Fidelia Okafor.

The immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan says the solution to ending the killings in Southern Kaduna crisis are already included in the 2014 National Conference held on 2014.

In his presentation to the United States House Sub-Committee on Africa, the former President said failure to arrest perpetrators of previous religious crisis had emboldened those who engaged in such acts.

The former President’s presentation was contained in a statement by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze.

Jonathan also declared that if Nigeria failed to address religious violence and extremism, the menace will destroy the country.

He said, “If, as a nation, we do not kill religious persecution and extremism, then religious persecution and extremism will kill Nigeria.

“The potential danger associated with the level of conflicts going on across the country is so glaring that no sane mind can ignore.

“Your invitation (of the sub-committee) letter profusely highlighted the issues of the killing of Christians in Nigeria, the last major incident being the recent killings in Southern Kaduna in Kaduna State, and I do not need to elaborate on that.

“The challenge is how we stop that from recurring. How do we ensure that Christians and Muslims co-exist peacefully in Nigeria and practise their religions freely without discrimination, molestation and killings?”

The former President agreed with the recommendation of the 2014 National Conference that an Equity Commission be created to handle religious crisis across the country.

Jonathan, while quoting the report of the conference, said, “In view of the fact that religion plays a vital role in many aspects of our national life, especially in the aspect of national security and national unity, it is highly imperative that it be singled out from other fundamental rights and given a special attention via the creation of an Equity Commission whose sole mandate will be to focus on religious rights and their promotion.

“This is in line with best global practices as many advanced democracies have special legal and institutional arrangements for some very sensitive aspects of their national life.

“I totally agree with the 2014 National Conference on the need to establish the Religious Equity Commission that will have powers to arrest and prosecute those who contravene the law.”