Fact Findings

Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria (CHAIN)

31 King Hassan Lane, Narayi High Cost Mass Housing

Kaduna Tel: +234 (0)62 888 428. www.christianawareness.org

SAY NO TO POLITICIANS PROMOTING RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY

The political temperature of Nigeria is rising by the day as the April general elections approaches. Politicians are aligning, consulting, strategizing and trying to convince Nigerians that they will not fail them if elected. Their foot soldiers are everywhere advancing the cause of their principals, trying to package them for sale in many and diverse ways, so as to enhance their chances of either winning the election. The excitement appears to overwhelm some of the politicians and their supporters to the extent that they have resorted to parochial and selfish values, which tend to divide rather than unite Nigerians. This portends danger to our democracy and nationhood.

We are referring to the introduction of religious sentiments in our political life by some of those who feel that promoting religious bigotry is their shot cut to power.

We believe that any politician who genuinely wants to serve the people should be talking about how he or she intends to address problems of poverty, unemployment, insecurity, health care delivery and other core developmental issues which Nigerians are yearning for. These are issues that, if properly addressed, would catapult Nigeria to be among the 20 leading economies in the world by the year 2020.

We are where we are today because of leadership failure at all levels of governance, characterized by the military incursion into governance. Now we have the chance to get our acts right and move the country forward by electing credible and honest people who are provide the required leadership that will propel our nation to greatness.

Sadly, religious bigotry is being introduced into the polity by some desperate politicians who really who do not mean well for Nigerians and Nigeria as a nation. Don't get me wrong. Religion is very important in our lives as mortals, but it will not be in the best interest of the corporate existence of the nation use it as an political tool it has never guaranteed honesty, fairness, humility, kindness, courtesy, compassion and God-fearing leadership in Nigeria.

Starting from the ward councilor to the highest office in the land, the occupants ascribed to one religion or the other while taking their oath of offices, but can we honestly say today, that these people perform their functions with the fear of God in them? Are they serving the interests of the common Nigerians or themselves? Do they adhere to the injunctions of the teachings of their faiths? Both Christianity and Islam are two dominant religions in Nigeria, and most public office holders professed either of the religions, which prohibits stealing and injustice, yet billions of public funds have been stolen by some of these people, thereby causing untold hardship on the people and stunting the development of the country.

Our religiosity in Nigeria is mostly cosmetic when it comes to looting and plundering the public treasury. Because Nigerians have become too sentimental about religion, some mischievous politicians have found it a veritable weapon for use in their quest to achieve their selfish and sectional objectives.

Let it be known that a country populated by the two major religions, no any religious group can win the presidential election without the support of the other.

My dear Muslims and Christians, religion has never been an issue to us when it comes to elections and we should not allow ourselves to be misled. Let no one divide us in our quest for a credible leadership of this country. If we go down memory lane, you will recalled that on June 12, 1993, Nigerians came out en masse to vote for Chief MKO Abiola and Alhaji Babagana Kingibe of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the presidential election that was adjudged to be the freest and fairest election in the history of our nation despite the fact that it was a Moslem - Moslem ticket. This was because Nigerians, both Muslims and Christians believed that they could deliver the dividends of democracy to them. If religion was to be used as a yardstick for voting, obviously Christians would have protested by voting for the National Republican Convention (NRC) which had a Christian, Dr Sylvester Ugwu as the running mate to Alhaji Bashir Tofa. Unfortunately that election was annulled by another Moslem leader and the protest that followed the annulment was total.

Look at the leadership of our National Assembly. The president of the senate is a Christian; his deputy is also a Christian. In the House of Representatives, the Speaker is a Muslim, his deputy is also a Muslim and the heavens have not fallen. Things are going on smoothly in the National Assembly because there is the understanding among the legislators that efficiency and service delivery are more important to nation building than religious consideration.

Gen.Yakubu Gowon and Admiral Wey who were both Christians, ruled Nigeria from 1966 to 1975, the heavens did not fall. From January 1984 to August, 1985 when Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, a northern Muslim was Head of State; his deputy was the late Gen. Tunde Idiagbon also a Muslim from the north. This may not be important in this discourse because it is about democratic values. The military itself, in spite of its dictatorial tendencies, understands balanced representation.

The true value of any candidate is in his/her character and the ability to deliver on promises made to the electorates. Religion is a personal affair between man and God and should therefore be separated from political campaigns.

Nigerians should shun religious bigots and vote for people who can lead well and translate their dreams and aspirations to reality.

It is equally disheartening to hear of late that some religious leaders have become partisan in politics. Should the Christian and Moslem clerics be in partisan politics? Don't they have as their members, people belonging to the over 50 political parties in Nigeria? Clerics should rather concentrate in creating and entrenching awareness on the need for their followers to abide by and imbibe the teachings of their faiths, from which they can now see things clearly and proffer honest and unbiased suggestions and contributions on national issues.

Nigeria is not a theocratic state and as such, we should resist any attempt by anyone to divide us. After 50 years of independence, our country is lagging behind in almost every index of human survival. Hunger still pervades the land, corruption is on the increase, and unemployment is on the rise. Both Christians and Muslims are victims of these problems.

Nigerians should not allow religious bigots to mislead them. The April general elections provides a golden opportunity for us to chose the right people who will tackle the problems that are facing us as a people and propel development to our country. Say "NO" to politicians that are promoting religious bigotry.