The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said the reason why it is yet to carry out its legal threat against the four northern states that closed school for Ramadan is because it is consulting with stakeholders and those affected by their action.

MyNigeria reported that Kaduna, Kebbi, Bauchi and Kano states announced the closure of private and public schools to enable Muslim students observe the Ramadan fasting period with ease.

The states took the decision despite having non-muslims as citizens and residents.

Their action prompted CAN President, Daniel Okoh, to issue a statement threatening legal action if the schools were not reopened.

Days after, MyNigeria reached out the the CAN Director on National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, to know why the association was yet to make due its legal threat against the four northern states.

He said, "The statement of the CAN president about the closure of schools borders around two issues - secularity of the country and the constitutionality, freedoms and rights of citizens, irrespective of where they reside. And I think it is probably based on that, that the issue of enforcement of fundamental rights came up in the statement.

"And of course, we don't rush. CAN is an organization that consults widely and is is concerned more about building peace, rather than engineering conflict. But as a last result, as the CAN president has said, there is a need to enforce the fundamental rights of the citizens who reside in those areas on account of five weeks of redundancy, and the implication of it.

"I think this is not a case of we versus them. We are a nation that thrives on secularity and peaceful coexistence. There's a lot of discussions going on at the back channel. And you know that even in if you have to go to court, it takes a long time to file processes and get it. So we are in process of discussing with those who are affected and the stakeholders, and that is the position."

ASA