Map of Nigerian states that currently implement Shariah (in green)

People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad^[5] (Arabic: جماعة اهل السنة للدعوة والجهاد, Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad), better known by its Hausa name Boko Haram, is a jihadist terrorist organization based in the northeast of Nigeria.^[6] It is an Islamist movement which strongly opposes man-made laws. Founded by Mohammed Yusuf in 2001 or 2002,^[7] the organisation is a Muslim sect that seeks to abolish the secular system of government and establish sharia law in the country.^[8][9] The group is also known for attacking Christian churches.^[10]

The movement, whose name in the Hausa language, Boko Haram, translates as "Western education is sinful"^[11] is divided into three factions, and in 2011, was responsible for at least 450 killings in Nigeria.^[8]

Though the group first became known internationally following sectarian violence in Nigeria in 2009, it does not have a clear structure or evident chain of command.^[12] Moreover, it is still a matter of debate whether Boko Haram has links to terror outfits outside Nigeria and its fighters have frequently clashed with Nigeria's central government.^[8]

Etymology[link]

The group has adopted its official name to be People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad, which is the English translation of Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad (جماعة أهل السنة للدعوة والجهاد).

In the town of Maiduguri, where the group was formed, the residents dubbed it Boko Haram. The term "Boko Haram" comes from the Hausa word boko meaning "western education" and the Arabic word haram figuratively meaning "sin" (literally, "forbidden").^{[13][14][15][16]} The name, loosely translated from Hausa, means "western education is forbidden". The group earned this name due to its strong opposition to anything Western, which it sees as corrupting Muslims.^[17]

Ideology[link]

Boko Haram was founded as an indigenous Salafist group, turning itself into a Salafist Jihadist group in 2009.^[6] It propagates that interaction with the Western World is forbidden, and also supports opposition to the Muslim establishment and the government of Nigeria.^[18] The group publicly extols its ideology despite the fact that its founder and former leader Muhammad Yusuf was himself a highly educated man who lived a lavish life and drove a Mercedes Benz.^[13]

The members of the group do not interact with the local Muslim population^[19] and have carried out assassinations in the past of any one who criticises it, including Muslim clerics.^[17]

In a 2009 BBC interview, Muhammad Yusuf, then leader of the group, stated his belief that the concept of a spherical Earth is contrary to Islamic teaching and should be rejected, along with Darwinian evolution and the concept of rain originating from water evaporated by the sun.^[20] Before his death, Yusuf reiterated the group's objective of changing the current education system and rejecting democracy.^[21] Nigerian academic Hussain Zakaria told BBC News that the controversial cleric had a graduate education, spoke proficient English, lived a lavish lifestyle and drove a Mercedes-Benz.^[20]

In the wake of the 2009 crackdown on its members and its subsequent reemergence, the growing frequency and geographical range of attacks attributed to Boko Haram have led some political and religious leaders in the north to the conclusion that the group has now expanded beyond its original religious composition to include not only Islamic militants, but criminal elements and disgruntled politicians as well.

“Boko Haram has become a franchise that anyone can buy into. It's something like a Bermuda Triangle,” said Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima.^[22]

Criticism[link]

Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, the Niger State governor, has criticised the group saying "Islam is known to be a religion of peace and does not condone violence and crime in any form" and Boko Haram doesn't represent Islam.^[23]

The Sultan of Sokoto Sa'adu Abubakar, the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims, has called the sect "anti-Islamic" and, as reported by the website AllAfrica.com, "an embarrassment to Islam."^[24]

The Coalition of Muslim Clerics in Nigeria (CMCN) have called on the Boko Haram to disarm and embrace peace.^[25]

The Islamic Circle of North America,^[26] the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada,^[27] The Muslim Council of Britain,^[28] the Organization of Islamic Cooperation^[29] and the Council on American Islamic Relations^[30] have all condemned the group.

History[link]

Background[link]

Before colonisation and subsequent annexation into the British Empire, the Bornu Empire ruled the territory where Boko Haram is currently active. It was a sovereign sultanate run according to the principles of the Constitution of Medina, with a majority Kanuri Muslim population. The Bornu Sultanate emerged after the overthrow of the Kanem-Bornu Empire ruled by the Saifawa dynasty for over 2000 years. The Bornu Sultanate of the Kanuri is distinct from the Sokoto Caliphate of the Hausa/Fulani established in 1802 by the military conquest of Usman dan Fodio.^[6] Both the Bornu Sultanate and Sokoto Caliphate came under control of the British in 1903. However, due to activities of early Christian missionaries who used Western education as a tool for evangelism, it is viewed with suspicion by the local population.^[17] Increased dissatisfaction gave rise to many fundamentalists among the Kanuri and other peoples of northeast Nigeria.

One of the most famous such fundamentalists was Mohammed Marwa, also known as Maitatsine, who was at the height of his notoriety during the 1970s and 1980s. He was sent into exile by the British authorities, he refused to believe Mohammed was the Prophet and instigated riots in the country which resulted in the deaths of thousands of people. Some analysts view Boko Haram as an extension of the Maitatsine riots.^[31]

Origin[link]

The group was founded by Mohammed Yusuf in 2002 in the city of Maiduguri with the aim of establishing a Shari'a government in Borno State under former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff.^[31] He established a religious complex that included a mosque and a school where many poor families from across Nigeria and from neighboring countries enrolled their children.^[17]

The centre had ulterior political goals and soon it was also working as a recruiting ground for future jihadis to fight the state.^[17] The group includes members who come from neighbouring Chad and Niger and speak only Arabic.^[32]

In 2004 the complex was relocated to Yusuf's home state of Yobe in the village Kanamma near the Niger border.^[21]

Human Rights Watch researcher Eric Guttschuss told IRIN News that Yusuf successfully attracted followers from unemployed youth "by speaking out against police and political corruption." Abdulkarim Mohammed, a researcher on Boko Haram, added that violent uprisings in Nigeria are ultimately due to "the fallout of frustration with corruption and the attendant social malaise of poverty and unemployment."^[33]

Beginning of violence[link]

The group conducted its operations more or less peacefully during the first seven years of its existence^[6] That changed in 2009 when the Nigerian government launched an investigation into the group's activities following reports that its members were arming themselves.^[56] Prior to that the government reportedly repeatedly ignored warnings about the increasingly militant character of the organisation, including that of a military officer.^[56]

When the government came into action, several members of the group were arrested in Bauchi, sparking deadly clashes with Nigerian security forces which led to the deaths of an estimated 700 people. During the fighting with the security forces Boko Haram fighters reportedly "used fuel-laden motorcycles" and "bows with poison arrows" to attack a police station.^[57] The group's founder and then leader Mohammed Yusuf was killed during this time while in police custody.^[58][59][60] After Yusuf's killing, a new leader emerged whose identity was not known at the time.^[61]

Reemergence[link]

After the killing of M. Yusuf, the group carried out its first terrorist attack in Borno in January 2010. It resulted in the killing of four people.^[62] Since then, the violence has only escalated in terms of both frequency and intensity.

In January 2012, Abubakar Shekau, a former deputy to Yusuf, appeared in a video posted on YouTube. According to Reuters, Shekau took control of the group after Yusuf's death in 2009.^[1] Authorities had previously believed that Shekau died during the violence in 2009.^[63]

By early 2012, the group was responsible for over 900 deaths.^[64]

Assessment[link]

Boko Haram is considered a major potential terrorist threat affecting Nigeria and other countries, and U.S. officials believe it is potentially allied with Al Qaeda. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander General Carter F. Ham stated in September 2011 that three African terrorist groups - Shabab of Somalia, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb across the Sahel region, and Boko Haram - "have very explicitly and publicly voiced an intent to target Westerners, and the U.S. specifically" and that he was concerned with "the voiced intent of the three organizations to more closely collaborate and synchronize their efforts."^[65]

General Ham reiterated his concern after the Christmas Day 2011 bombings of churches in Nigeria: "I remain greatly concerned about their stated intent to connect with Al Qaeda senior leadership, most likely through Al Qaeda in the lands of the Islamic Maghreb.”^[65]

The US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence urged the Obama Administration and U.S. intelligence community in November 2011 to focus on Boko Haram as a potential threat to United States territory.^[66]

Nigeria's National Security Adviser, General Owoye Andrew Azazi, has been working with other African governments, European and Middle Eastern governments, and the U.S. government to build cooperation against Boko Haram. He met in 2010 with then-CIA Director Leon Panetta, and in 2011 with AFRICOM Commander General Ham, and other U.S. officials, and was in the United States when the congressional panel was preparing its report on Boko Haram. He participated in a CIA conference at about the same time.^[67] After the Christmas 2011 bombings carried out by Boko Haram, President Barack Obama's office issued a statement that confirmed that the U.S. and Nigeria were cooperating at a senior level against the terrorist group.^[68]

Funding[link]

In February 2012, recently arrested officials revealed that "while the organisation initially relied on donations from members, its links with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, AQIM, opened it up to more funding from groups in Saudi Arabia and the UK." They went on to say that other sources of funding included the Al-Muntada Trust Fund and the Islamic World Society.^[69] In the past, Nigerian officials have been criticized for being unable to trace much of the funding that Boko Haram has received.^[70]

A spokesman of Boko Haram also claimed that Kano state governor Ibrahim Shekarau and Bauchi state governor Isa Yuguda had paid them monthly.^[71][72]

See also[link]

	Nigeria portal
	Islam portal
	Terrorism portal

• Sharia in Nigeria
• Niger Delta Conflicts
• Nigerian Sharia conflict
• Poverty in Nigeria
• Maitatsine

References[link]

External links[link]

• More information on Boko Haram Boko Haram
• Who are Boko Haram? (CNN)
• Analysis of Boko Haram on IRIN News
• Former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria arguing that Boko Haram is not a formal terrorist group
• Books versus bullets in north-east Nigeria RFI English

Abubakar Shekau is an Islamist leader of the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram.^[1][2] He served as deputy leader to the group's founder, Mohammed Yusuf, until Yusuf was killed in 2009. Nigerian authorities believed that Shekau was killed in 2009 during clashes between security forces and Boko Haram militants until July 2010 when he appeared in a video claiming leadership of the group. In the video, Shekau indicated that he had been shot in the thigh but survived the fighting.^[2]

References[link]

This Nigerian biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

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Goodluck Jonathan
President of Nigeria
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 February 2010 Acting: 9 February 2010 – 6 May 2010
Vice President	Namadi Sambo
Preceded by	Umaru Yar'Adua
Vice President of Nigeria
In office 29 May 2007 – 6 May 2010
President	Umaru Yar'Adua
Preceded by	Atiku Abubakar
Succeeded by	Namadi Sambo
Governor of Bayelsa
In office 9 December 2005 – 28 May 2007
Preceded by	Diepreye Alamieyeseigha
Succeeded by	Timipre Sylva
Personal details
Born	(1957-11-20) 20 November 1957 (age 54) Ogbia, Nigeria
Political party	People's Democratic Party
Spouse(s)	Patience Jonathan
Alma mater	University of Port Harcourt
Profession	Zoologist
Religion	Christianity

Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, BNER, GCON (born 20 November 1957^[1]) is the 14th Head of State and current President of Nigeria. Prior to his role as President, he served as Governor of Bayela State and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Jonathan is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Early and personal life[link]

Jonathan was born in what is now Bayelsa State to a family of canoe makers.^[1][2] Jonathan holds a B.S. degree in Zoology in which he attained Second Class Honours. He also holds an M.Sc. degree in Hydrobiology and Fisheries biology, and a Ph.D. degree in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt. After earning his degree, he worked as an education inspector, lecturer, and environmental-protection officer, until he decided to enter politics in 1998.^[3]

Jonathan and his wife, Patience, have two children. He is a Christian and comes from the Ijaw ethnic group.^[4]

Presidency[link]

Jonathan (fifth from right) standing with other world leaders at a meeting of the Economic Community of West African States in July 2010.

Former President Umaru Yar'Adua died on 5 May 2010. Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as Yar'Adua's successor on the following day,^[5] becoming Nigeria's 14th Head of State, to serve until the next election, in 2011, at which time he could elect to run again, which he has done. Upon taking office, he cited anti-corruption, power and electoral reform as focuses of his administration. He stated that he came to office under "very sad and unusual circumstances".^[6]

On 18 May 2010, the National Assembly approved Jonathan's nomination of former Kaduna State governor, Namadi Sambo, an architect, for the position of Vice President.^[7][8]

On 29 June 2010, Jonathan launched a Facebook fan-page;^[9] The president said that he launched his page in fulfillment of a promise he made earlier in the year to interact more with Nigerians.

On 2 August 2010 Jonathan launched a comprehensive plan, called the 'Roadmap for Power Sector Reform‘,^[10] aimed at restructuring the power sector and achieving stable electricity in the country. In his speech, the President identified the factors that affected reliable electricity service delivery to include the absence of a sustained and deliberately deployed long term power development strategy, under exploitation of the nation’s abundant energy endowments and the absence of adequate implementation of reforms.

2011 election[link]

On 15 September 2010, Jonathan, in a message on his Facebook Page, said he had finally decided to run for the presidency after wide consultations with various organisations across the country. This single action of his made him the first ever sitting president to declare his re-election bid via social media.^[11] The move came under scrutiny, as it was a northern Muslim candidate's turn to run for the presidency.

On 20 December, he flagged off the national book campaign called 'Bring Back The Book',^[12] and presented his book, My Friends and I: conversations on policy and governance via Facebook to the public. He declared that the fight to bring back the book should be supported by all Nigerians, as the project provided Nigeria a sure path to technological growth. He further said that his government was encouraging a culture of catch-them-young so as to secure the future of the children.

On 14 January, President Jonathan was chosen to run for president by the People's Democratic Party during the election. He won with 77.7% of valid votes cast.^[13][14] On 18 April, Jonathan was declared the winner of the election. His victory was, however, followed by violence in the north over claims of vote rigging.^[15]

Controversies[link]

Ministerial nominations and appointments[link]

In 2011, the Nigerian President failed to nominate and appoint at least 36 indigenes (one for each of the 36 states). This is in breach of article 147 subsection (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999: "...the President shall appoint at least one Minister from each State, who shall be an indigene of such State".^[16]

The President can be taken to constitutional court in Nigeria for noncompliance with Article 147(3) of the constitution.

Removal of fuel subsidy[link]

On 13 December 2011, the 2012 fiscal year's budget removed any provisions for fuel subsidy.^[17] The issue of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria has always been a controversial topic. According to a poll carried out by the Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE- Nigeria), 80% of Nigerians opposed the plan to remove fuel subsidy.^[18]

On 1 January 2012, the Jonathan administration announced the start of a controversial plan to end fuel subsidies.^[19] Many prominent Nigerians have spoken out against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Jonathan administration. Former Petroleum Minister Professor Tam David-West has spoken out and expressed concern that the planned removal of fuel subsidy will squeeze the economy, increase inflation, and hurt both businesses and the public.^[20]

A former military Head of State and a former Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources, General Buhari, urged President Jonathan not to remove fuel subsidy and to tackle corruption.^[21]

General Yakubu Gowon, another former military Head of State, has warned the government that the country's infrastructure should be revived before fuel subsidy removal steps are taken.^[22]

Former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, joined millions of Nigerians protesting against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Jonathan administration, saying that the action is ill-timed.^[23]

Following the The Nigeria Labour Congress' warning that the country faces many strikes, the country unions followed up with strikes that were matched with civil protests from 9–13 January 2012. Protesters and groups called for President Jonathan to resign over the removal of fuel subsidies.^[24][25] After five days of national protests and strikes, on 16 January, Jonathan announced that the pump price of petroleum would be 97 naira per liter.^[26]

1st October 2010 Independence Day Bomb Blast[link]

During his South African magistrate court trial on 2 May 2012, MEND's (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) former leader Henry Okah came out and insisted that President Jonathan masterminded bomb attacks. He told the court that President Jonathan and his aides organised the October 1, 2010 independence day bomb attacks in Abuja in a desperate political strategy to demonize political opponents, including the former military President General Ibrahim Babangida, and to win popular sympathy ahead of the 2011 elections.^[27]

The Nigerian Presidency has denied the allegations of terrorism levelled against President Jonathan. A media statement was issued on 2 May 2012, acknowledging the accusations from Okah. The statement went on to say that: “The Presidency categorically affirms that these allegations are false in their entirety and without any factual foundation." The Presidency also expressed no interest in commenting further for the time being, but plans to "make a full representation on the matter to the court when the trial opens."^[28][29]

Renaming of the University of Lagos[link]

In May 2012, President Jonathan changed the name of the University of Lagos, renaming it the Moshood Abiola University in honour of the late MKO Abiola. The action received negative feedback from parties involved with the university. The UNILAG Alumni Association commented that although they do not have prejudice against MKO Abiola, they were concerned "that neither the Governing Council nor the University Senate nor any other stakeholder was consulted before the change was announced."^[30]

Security challenges[link]

On 26 August 2011, after the UN building in Abuja was bombed by Boko Haram, Jonathan announced that it was not merely an attack on Nigeria, but on the international community. He told reporters that "we would work together with the UN and other world leaders to ensure that terrorism is brought under control.^[31] On Christmas Day, after a church as bombed and more violence occurred in the north, Jonathan came in for more criticism over the security challenge in the country. Further attacks occurred on Christmas and in early January 2012, claimed by Boko Haram.

In addition to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta's attack on a oil pipeline on 4 February 2012 in Bayelsa,^[32] the Senate President David Mark stated that the security situation in the country is "intolerable."^[33]

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Goodluck Jonathan

Nigeria portal

v t e Presidents of Nigeria (List) First Republic Azikiwe Military regime Aguiyi-Ironsi Gowon Mohammed Obasanjo Second Republic Shagari Military regime Buhari Babangida Shonekan (interim)* Abacha Abubakar Fourth Republic Obasanjo Yar'Adua Jonathan * civilian; headed transition to abortive Third Republic

v t e Nigerian state governors 2003-2007 term Abia Orji Uzor Kalu (PDP) Adamawa Boni Haruna (PDP) Akwa Ibom Victor Attah (PDP) Anambra Chris Ngige (PDP) (nullified) Peter Obi (APGA) Bauchi Adamu Mu'azu (PDP) Bayelsa Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (PDP) (impeached) Goodluck Jonathan (PDP) Benue George Akume (PDP) Borno Ali Modu Sheriff (ANPP) Cross River Donald Duke (PDP) Delta James Ibori (PDP) Ebonyi Sam Egwu (PDP) Edo Lucky Igbinedion (PDP) Ekiti Ayo Fayose (PDP) (impeached) Tunji Olurin (Administrator) Enugu Chimaroke Nnamani (PDP) Gombe Mohammed Danjuma Goje (PDP) Imo Achike Udenwa (PDP) Jigawa Ibrahim Saminu Turaki (APP) Kaduna Ahmed Makarfi (PDP) Kano Ibrahim Shekarau (ANPP) Katsina Umaru Yar'Adua (PDP) Kebbi Adamu Aliero (APP) Kogi Ibrahim Idris (PDP) Kwara Bukola Saraki (PDP) Lagos Bola Tinubu (AC) Nasarawa Abdullahi Adamu (PDP) Niger Abdulkadir Kure (PDP) Ogun Gbenga Daniel (PDP) Ondo Olusegun Agagu (PDP) Osun Olagunsoye Oyinlola (PDP) Oyo Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (PDP) (impeached) Christopher Alao-Akala (PDP) Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (PDP) (reinstated) Plateau Joshua Dariye (PDP) (suspended) Chris Alli (administrator) Joshua Dariye (PDP) (reinstated) Rivers Peter Odili (PDP) Sokoto Attahiru Bafarawa (APP) Taraba Jolly Nyame (PDP) Yobe Bukar Ibrahim (APP) Zamfara Ahmad Sani Yerima (ANPP) See also Nigerian state governors 1999-2003 term and Nigerian state governors 2007-2011 term

v t e Vice Presidents of Nigeria Babafemi Ogundipe† Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey† Olusegun Obasanjo† Shehu Musa Yar'Adua† Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme Tunde Idiagbon† Ebitu Ukiwe† Augustus Aikhomu† Oladipo Diya† Mike Akhigbe† Atiku Abubakar Goodluck Jonathan Namadi Sambo † military

The Most Reverend  Peter Akinola
Archbishop of Province III, Primate of all Nigeria
Church	Church of Nigeria
See	Abuja
In Office	March 2000 — March 2010
Orders
Ordination	1979
Personal details
Born	(1944-01-27) January 27, 1944 (age 68) Ogun, Nigeria
Previous post	Bishop of Abuja

Peter Jasper Akinola (born 27 January 1944^[1]) is the former Anglican Primate of the Church of Nigeria. He is also the former Bishop of Abuja (Nigeria's capital) and Archbishop of Province III, which covers the northern and central parts of the country. He is married and a father of six.^[2]

A "low church" Evangelical, Akinola emphasizes the Bible and the teachings of the apostles (apostolic tradition) in a particular way.^[3] As one of the leaders of the Global South within the Anglican Communion, Akinola has taken a firm stand against theological developments which he contends are incompatible with the biblical teachings of Christianity and orthodox Anglicanism, notably setting himself against any revisionist interpretations of the Bible and, in particular, opposing same-sex blessings, the ordination of non-celibate homosexuals and any homosexual practice. He was a leading name of conservatives throughout the Anglican Communion, including the Convocation of Anglicans in North America.^[4]

On 15 September 2009, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, aged 57 years old, of Bendel Province, was elected the Primate of Church of Nigeria at the conference of the House of Bishops in Umuahia. He succeeded Akinola on 25 March 2010.^[5]

Biography[link]

Part of a series on the Anglican realignment
Provinces
Anglican Church of Nigeria  · Anglican Church in North America · Anglican Church of Rwanda · Anglican Church of the Southern Cone of America  ·
Associations
American Anglican Council · Anglican Coalition in Canada · Anglican Communion Network · Anglican Network in Canada  · Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas · Forward in Faith
Events
Global Anglican Future Conference · Departures from the Episcopal Church
Related churches
Anglican Mission in the Americas · Anglican Province of America · Convocation of Anglicans in North America · Episcopal Missionary Church · Reformed Episcopal Church · Catholic (Anglican Use · Ordinariates)
People
Peter Akinola · Robert Duncan · Drexel Gomez · Gene Robinson · Gregory Venables · Rowan Williams
Issues
Anglicanism · Windsor Report · Ordination of women · Homosexuality and Anglicanism Anglicanism Portal This box: view talk edit

Peter Akinola was born in 1944 to a Yoruba family in Abeokuta in southwestern Nigeria . His father died when he was four years old and due to financial pressures Akinola had to leave school early.^[2] He learned carpentry and at twenty he had a successful furniture business and had finished high school by distance education.^[6] He studied at a Nigerian Anglican seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in the Anglican Church of Nigeria. Soon after ordination, he pursued further study at the Virginia Theological Seminary.^[6]

Returning to Nigeria at the beginning of the 1980s, Akinola was assigned to create an Anglican presence in the new capital Abuja which was about to be built. He holds it one of his greatest successes to have created out of nothing a vibrant Anglican community there.^[6] In 1989 he was ordained bishop of Abuja and 1997 archbishop of Province III of the Church of Nigeria, consisting of the northern dioceses of Nigeria. On February 22, 2000 he was elected primate of the Church of Nigeria, the second biggest church in the Anglican Communion, then numbering 18 million members.

Akinola was given the National Award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in December 2003.^[7]

In 2006 Akinola appeared on TIME magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people in the category Leaders and Revolutionaries.^[8] However, in 2007 TIME magazine suggested ^[9] that he "has some explaining to do" in relation to his support for legislation ^[10] criminalising "gay... organizations" and "Publicity, procession and public show of same-sex amorous relationship through the electronic or print media physically, directly, indirectly or otherwise".

In 2007, the Nigerian newspaper ThisDay gave him together with 17 others a Lifetime Achievement Award, stating in its citation: "Called a bigot by some in the Anglican Church, his attitudes nonetheless represent a deep-rooted conservative tradition in African Christianity that is flourishing and growing." ^[11] But he has been criticised by other sections of the international press, including the right-leaning Daily Telegraph which in an editorial on 23 March 2007 characterised him as one of the "extremists" who had "hijacked" conservative Anglicanism, and as "a deeply divisive figure" who has "defended new Nigerian legislation that makes "cancerous" (his word) same-sex activity punishable by up to five years' imprisonment." [9]

Akinola was at one time President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, an ecumenical body bringing together 52 million Protestant, Catholic, and African independent Christians.^[7] During his Presidency, the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja was completed, which had been a building ruin for 16 years.^[12] Akinola was voted out of his position as National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in June 2007, and replaced by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Nigeria, who polled 72 votes to Akinola's 33 votes.^[13] This followed criticism of Akinola's allegedly high handed leadership style and of his alleged failure to confront Nigerian President Obasanjo as other Christian leaders had.^[14] Subsequently, his candidacy as Vice President was rejected by the General Assembly of the Christian Association of Nigeria.^[15]

In October 2009, he reacted to the Vatican's proposed creation of personal ordinariates for disaffected traditionalist Anglicans by saying that although he welcomed ecumencial dialogue and shared moral theology with the Catholic Church, the current GAFCON structures already meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of conservative Anglicans in Africa.^[16]

In November 2009, Akinola signed an ecumenical statement known as the Manhattan Declaration calling on evangelicals, Catholics and Orthodox not to comply with rules and laws permitting abortion, same-sex marriage and other matters that go against their religious consciences.^[17]

Church politics[link]

Vision of the Church of Nigeria[link]

One of his first actions as primate was to get together 400 bishops, priests, lay members, and members of the Mothers' Union to elaborate a vision for the Church of Nigeria under chairman Ernest Shonekan, a former president of Nigeria.^[18] The vision elaborated was:

"The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) shall be; bible-based, spiritually dynamic, united, disciplined, self supporting, committed to pragmatic evangelism, social welfare and a Church that epitomizes the genuine love of Christ." ^[18]

Part of the program of actions were, e.g.

• on central level
  • translating the books of liturgy in further languages
  • establishing a group of 3000 leading lay personalities who will take care of fundraising and relieve the bishops of this duty
  • establish a legal support team to enforce the constitutional right of freedom of religion and worship
  • establish colleges for theology and universities
  • provide internet access for the dioceses

• for each diocese
  • training fulltime itinerant evangelists
  • on the job training for priests and their wives
  • working out a social welfare program for less privileged people
  • establish a hospital with at least 30 beds
  • establish secondary schools

• on community level
  • literacy courses for adults
  • set up cottage industries for the unemployed

Relations with the Anglican Communion[link]

Archbishop Peter Akinola in his cope and mitre, traditional vestments.

In August 2003 he stated that if the celibate homosexual Jeffrey John was consecrated as Bishop of Reading or the non-celibate homosexual Gene Robinson consecrated as Bishop of New Hampshire, the Church of Nigeria would leave the Anglican Communion. A number of dioceses throughout the world, including the Diocese of Sydney, made similar statements. Under pressure from the Archbishop of Canterbury, John withdrew from appointment as bishop and was subsequently appointed as Dean of St Albans. Gene Robinson's consecration went forward, precipitating a crisis in the Anglican Communion. At the end of 2003 Akinola commissioned together with Drexel Gomez, primate of the Church in the Province of the West Indies and Gregory Venables, Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone Claiming our Anglican Identity: The Case Against the Episcopal Church, USA, a paper for the Primates of the Anglican Communion detailing the implications of the consecration of Gene Robinson for the Anglican Communion, in the view of conservative Primates.^[19]

His first reaction on the Windsor Report 2004 was outspoken and critical,^[20] but the statement from the Primates gathered at the first African Anglican Bishop's Conference, headed by Akinola, was more moderate and expressed commitment to the future of the Anglican Communion.^[21] However, whilst strenuously supporting those parts of the Windsor Report which address the gay issue, he has not followed with those parts that deplore overseas interventions in the U.S. Church and has, on the contrary, set up a missionary body, the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, in order to formalise the ties between break-away Anglicans in the United States and the Church of Nigeria.

In September 2005, Akinola spoke out against the Church in Brazil deposition of an Evangelical bishop and excommunication of over 30 priests^{[dead link]}.^[22]

In September 2005, the Church of Nigeria redefined in its constitution its relationship to the Anglican Communion as "Communion with all Anglican Churches, Dioceses and Provinces that hold and maintain the Historic Faith, Doctrine, Sacrament and Discipline of the one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.".^[23] In a later press release, Akinola clarified "We want to state that our intention in amending the 2002 Constitution of the Church of Nigeria was to make clear that we are committed to the historic faith once delivered to the Saints, practice and the traditional formularies of the Church. ... We treasure our place within the worldwide family of the Anglican Communion but we are distressed by the unilateral actions of those provinces that are clearly determined to redefine what our common faith was once. We have chosen not to be yoked to them as we prefer to exercise our freedom to remain faithful. We continue to pray, however, that there will be a genuine demonstration of repentance."^[24]

On November 12, 2005, Akinola signed a Covenant of Concordat with the Presiding Bishops of the Reformed Episcopal Church and the Anglican Province of America.

Akinola refused to take Holy Communion in company with the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, both at the Primates Meeting at Dromantine in 2005 and at the Primates Meeting at Dar es Salaam in 2007 and, on the latter occasion, he issued a press release in order to publicise and explain his refusal and that of others associated with him.^[25]

Akinola's name as chairman of the Global South Primates heads the list of signatories to a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury on November 15, 2005.^[26] In this letter Europe is described as "a spiritual desert" and the actions of the Church of England in supporting the new civil partnerships laws are said to give "the appearance of evil".

Three of the bishops whose names appeared on the document at the Global South website (President Bishop Clive Handford of Jerusalem and the Middle East, the Primate of the West Indies Archbishop Drexel Gomez, and the Presiding Bishop of the Southern Cone Bishop Gregory Venables) denied signing or approving the letter, and criticised it as "an act of impatience", "scandalous", and "megaphone diplomacy".^[27]

Akinola was among the Global South leaders who opposed the consecration of Gene Robinson, the first openly homosexual bishop in the Anglican Communion. This group successfully pressed for the voluntary withdrawal of ECUSA's representatives from the Anglican Consultative Council's meeting in Nottingham in 2005, although representatives did attend in order to make a presentation supporting full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the life of the Church, for which a vote of thanks was passed.

In August 2005 he denounced a statement of the Church of England's House of Bishops on civil partnerships and called for the disciplining of the Church of England and ECUSA on the grounds that the Church has not changed its position on same-sex partnerships. Since the Anglican Communion has historically been defined as those Churches in communion with the See of Canterbury, whose Archbishop is head of the Church of England and thus primus inter pares in the Anglican Communion, this led to speculation that Akinola was positioning himself as a possible international leader of a more conservative church than the present Anglican Communion, which would no longer recognise the authority or primacy of the Archbishop of Canterbury. However, he attended the subsequent Primates Meeting in Tanzania in 2007, although he absented himself from all the celebrations of Holy Communion during that meeting.

In May 2007 he flew to the United States to install Martyn Minns, a priest who had left the Episcopal Church of the United States, as a bishop of the Church of Nigeria. Akinola reportedly ignored requests not to do this from both the Presiding Bishop and the Archbishop of Canterbury. However, the timing of the requests and their intent, relative to Akinola's departure from Nigeria is a subject of contention.^[28][29] The newly installed bishop indicated at a press conference that the intention was to replace the Episcopal Church of the USA (as an organ of the Anglican Communion) with a structure formed under auspices of the Church of Nigeria.^[30]

Akinola was one of the principal founders of the Global Anglican Future Conference,^[31] an international gathering of conservative and orthodox Anglican bishops^[32] and declared the Church of Nigeria in full communion with the newly created Anglican Church in North America, which was founded to create a alternative ecclesiastical structure to the Episcopal Church of the United States within the Anglican Communion.^[33]

Homosexuality laws in Nigeria[link]

In September 2006, the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria, headed by Akinola, issued a Message to the Nation, taking up ten political controversies in Nigeria, among them a bill regarding same-sex relationships: "The Church commends the law-makers for their prompt reaction to outlaw same-sex relationships in Nigeria and calls for the bill to be passed since the idea expressed in the bill is the moral position of Nigerians regarding human sexuality." ^[34] The bill in question, as well as criminalising same-sex marriage, also proposed to criminalise "Registration of Gay Clubs, Societies and organizations" and "Publicity, procession and public show of same-sex amorous relationship through the electronic or print media physically, directly, indirectly or otherwise", on penalty of up to 5 years of imprisonment. The proposed legislation was formally challenged by the United States State Department as a breach of Nigeria's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Some western supporters justify the legislation on the basis that it does not support the stoning to death of homosexuals under the Sharia code.