President Goodluck Jonathan has bowed to pressure from the Nigerian Muslim community and has agreed to appoint more Muslims as delegates to the on-going National Conference in Abuja.

This follows the complaint by an Islamic delegation led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, which recently stormed the Aso Rock Presidential Villa to protest the alleged marginalisation of Muslims in the composition of the 492-member Conference.

News of the impending restructuring of the Conference membership was broken yesterday by Vice President Namadi Sambo while speaking in Kaduna at the 50th anniversary lecture of the umbrella body of Nigerian Muslims, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI).

“On the imbalance of the national conference between Muslims and Christians, I want to confirm that Mr. President has directed that positive action be taken on the matter,” Sambo said.

The Vice President also disclosed that President Jonathan has similarly accepted a recommendation to appoint a Special Adviser on Islamic Affairs.

“Mr. President has also accepted my recommendation to appoint a Special Adviser on Islamic Affairs,” Sambo said, adding. “Government will see to the end of the barbaric acts of insurgency in the country. We are making efforts to ensure harmony between farmers and pastoralists, we have strategised on how to stop the constant crises between farmers and pastoralists.

“We are making efforts to address the issue of grazing range and grazing reserves.”

Speaking at the event, Sultan Abubakar, who is the President General of JNI, repeated his allegation that Muslims are being marginalised by the Jonathan administration, particularly in the representation at the National Conference.

His words: “We have discussed with the government on the national conference and how to make it a success. We don’t want another jamboree, we have been giving advice to our leaders; it is left for them to take the advice or jettison them.”

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