Muslim cleric condemns Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying it will deepen division
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
“I don’t think there is a Muslim who will support a Christian-Christian presidential ticket” – Haliru Maraya, Kaduna Islamic cleric.
A Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket being floated by Bola Tinubu in his desperation to rule Nigeria at all costs – regardless of the consequences – has been condemned by a Muslim cleric who sees it as a bad omen.
Haliru Maraya, a Shiekh based in Kaduna, argued that a Muslim-Muslim ticket will hurt Nigeria because it negates Islamic principles of justice, fairness, and equity.
Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Party (APC), a Muslim from the majority Christian South, is in the hunt for a Muslim running mate from the majority Muslim North to bolster his chances for a good chunk of the Northern vote.
Tinubu’s plot to further Islamise Nigeria has been roundly condemned by Christians North and South.
If he succeeds, he will build on the irresponsibility of Nigeria’s worst leader, Muhammadu Buhari, who has Islamised the government by installing Northern Muslims in all major positions in all the security agencies and in the civil service.
Christians and Muslims both know that no Muslim, radical or rational, particularly in the North, will ever accept a Christian-Christian presidential ticket.
Maraya, a former Special Adviser on Islamic Matters and Hajj Affairs, bared his mind in a statement titled, “Islamic View On Same-faith Presidential Ticket in Today’s Nigeria”.
He reiterated that Nigeria is secular state and the promoters of a Muslim-Muslim ticket do not wish the country well as their project will deepen division along religious lines.
“Nigeria is a multi-religious country of more than 200 million people who are Muslims and non-Muslims.
“Hence, one can say that the country is owned by more than 200 million citizens who are of diverse religious backgrounds,” Maraya said.
“In order to be just to all the citizens of the country, and also to balance the apparent religious sentiments prevalent in the country, Nigeria’s politicians and its major political parties have avoided fielding same-faith presidential candidates since the present political dispensation from 1999.
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Related articles:
CAN dares Tinubu, Atiku to pick Muslims as running mates
Babachir Lawal to Tinubu: Muslim/Muslim ticket is a no-go-area
Muslim-Muslim ticket: APC stakeholders kick, say it will fuel more division
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Justic, fairness, equity
“The combination of a Muslim and non-Muslim, in a presidential ticket, in Nigeria of today, also gives vent to the spirit of justice, fairness and equity as enshrined in the religion of Islam.
“Remember, the country is for the Muslims and non-Muslims alike,” Maraya stressed, per reporting by The PUNCH.
“The religion of Islam orders the sincere administration of justice, on all, regardless of any distinction, be it religious, ethnic, geographical, tribal, inter alia.
“The religion enjoins its adherents to always stand for justice as a matter of principle, whether for Muslims or non-Muslims, even if justice should side against them.
“The Quran says: ‘and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just’ (Q5:8).
“As a Muslim, one is enjoined by the religion to only love for mankind, regardless of any social difference, what they love for themselves. I don’t think there is a Muslim who will support a Christian-Christian presidential ticket.”