Kaduna based Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Halliru Abdullahi Maraya, has said it is wrong to support a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket come 2023.
He explained further that the unity of Nigeria should be the priority of all Nigerians, not winning elections at all costs.
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In a statement issued on Monday, the scholar who was Special Adviser on Islamic Religion Matters and Hajj to a former Governor in the state, said since there is no any Muslim who will support a Christian-Christian presidential ticket it is not right for them to support Muslim-Muslim ticket.
He said those promoting the idea of a Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian presidential ticket, in today’s Nigeria, do not wish the country well especially now that it is divided along religious fault lines
“Undoubtedly, the Muslims would cry out for the perpetration of injustice against them. Hence, it’s wrong for a Muslim to support a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket as it is at variance with the spirit of justice which the religion of Islam promotes and defends at all times.
“Those promoting the idea of a Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian presidential ticket, in today’s Nigeria, do not wish the country well especially now that it is divided along religious fault lines.
“I wonder what the country would be should the various agitations in the land assume a religious dimension. No religion has the monopoly of qualified people who have the capacity to serve as running mates to presidential candidates if merit should be the parameter for the nomination of running mates.
“Both Muslims and non-Muslims, in Nigeria of today, are endowed with capable and qualified persons for the offices of the President and Vice-President alike. Consequently, justice, fairness and equity, as enjoined by the religion of Islam, demand that a Muslim presidential candidate should nominate a non-Muslim as their running mate, and a non-Muslim presidential candidate should nominate a Muslim as their running mate, in Nigeria of today, for the sake of the promotion of national unity and cohesion,” he said.
Sheikh Maraya said it is common sense and the appreciation of Nigeria’s religious diversity to abhor and discourage a same-faith presidential ticket.
