Sheikh Maraya said the country is owned by more than 200 million citizens who are of diverse religious backgrounds.
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
An Islamic Sheikh based in Kaduna, Haliru Maraya, has kicked against having a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election on the ground that it is unjust because Muslims would also not accept a Christian-Christian presidential ticket.
Speaking on the background of the Muslim-Muslim ticket being contemplated for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sheikh Maraya said it is against the Islamic principles of justice and equity.
Sheikh Maraya, a prominent Kaduna Islamic cleric and formerly the Special Adviser on Islamic and Hajj Matters to two former governors of Kaduna State – late Patrick Yakowa and Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, made the remark in a statement titled, ‘Islamic View On Same-faith Presidential Ticket in Today’s Nigeria,’ in Kaduna on Monday.
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He said Nigeria is a secular state, hence, wrong to foist a Muslim-Muslim leadership on the country.
According to him, those promoting the idea of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket do not wish Nigeria well as their action will further divide the country along religious fault lines.
He said, “Nigeria is a multi-religious country of more than a 200million people who are Muslims and non-Muslims.
“Hence, one can say that the country is owned by more than 200million citizens who are of diverse religious backgrounds.
“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.
“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.
“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.”