For years the propponets of Sharia Law have argued that Religion and politics in Nigeria are inseparable and constitutional, Mr President with this policy you have made it easier for the supporters of Sharia Law to maintain this divisive issue. This year it is estimated that about 500,000 Nigerian Muslims will be making the annual Pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Legally, the Adminstration must equelly sponsor them by providing them with the same amount of money you gave to their Christian counterpart. I have recently discovered that various state governments have also involed in this stupid policy.

The very idea that someone in the government elected or unelected could suggest such a thing proves once again that we have leaders that are intellectually bankrupt and more importantly that we Nigerian either do not understand what democracy is or that we are not ready for a democratic government. Some of the best Democracies in the world are those that emphasize separation of Religion and Politics. President Obasanjo argued that Sharia Law is unconstitutional because the court involves in making decisions that are clearly should be made by the government and I and all democracy loving people around the world agreed, now he is involved in a policy that clearly run in opposite direction. Nigeria is currently faced with embarrasment of Sharia Laws which insist on sentencing women to be stoned to dead which to the rest of the world is barbaric. Instead of the President advocating policies that emphasis separation of politics and Religion he involves with sponsoring religious pilgrimage.

The question is can Nigerian people afford to sponsor yearly Religious pilgrmage for both Muslims and Christians throughout Nigeria?. We are talking about a policy that will cost Millions perhaps Billions in years to come, this is a very wrong policy. Democracy emphases a small government, that means not getting involve with private programmes such as Religion and business. Any individual or organization who chooses to go to religious pilgrimage should do so on his own time and money that is how it is here in America and in all Democracies around the world. Nigeria have so many problems that we could use public money to solve, such as reliable electricity, water and telephone these could create millions of jobs throughout Nigeria.

Emeka Collins Eke
Los Angeles, California U.S.A
E-Mail: cceke@yahoo.com