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2023 And The Race And Region Of Religion

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By Bala Ibrahim.

In His infinite mercies, God had designed and grouped the Humankind or Human beings into races that share certain distinctive physical traits, for the ease of ethnic classification. It is this grouping that gives way to the branding of people according to common racial, national, tribal, linguistic, or cultural origins.

In Nigeria, the Hausa’s, who are predominantly domiciled in the north, are distinctively different from the Ibo’s that are dominant in the east. The Yoruba’s, the predominant tribe in the west, are also distinctively different from both the Hausa’s and the Ibo’s. But although nature has permitted the formation of Nigeria through this artificial mixture, it has not allowed the difference in race to play the pivotal in the relationship between region and religion.

As Nigeria warms up for the 2023 general elections, and all the political parties have completed their primaries, wherein presidential flag bearers were elected, an atmosphere of anxiety is hanging in the air, with regards the regions and religions of the elected presidential candidates.

Since the emergence of the Waziri of Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the presidential flag bearer of the PDP, and the eventual election of Jagaban Borgu, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his opposite number in the APC, political analysts and stakeholders have been busy with comments, on the kind of running mate the two leading political parties in the country must choose, in order to douse religious tension and permit for peace and unity to rein in the country. This is pushing the country to panic and palpable pressure.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has given Friday June 17, 2022 as a deadline for political parties to send the names of their Presidential candidates and running mates. Also, It has issued Friday 15 July, 2022, as the deadline for the parties to submit names of Gubernatorial candidates and their running mates.

Under the Presidential system of government, it is only the President and the governors that run under a joint ticket with running mates. The rest are legislators that run individually. As things stand today, although nature has not allowed the difference in race to play the pivotal in the relationship between region and religion, opportunism is pushing the parties to contemplate playing the politics of religion in the choice of running mates. And this is pushing the country to panic and palpable pressure.

Just weeks to the party conventions, Nigeria almost went up in flames, pursuant to the gruesome murder of Miss Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, for alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad,PBUH.

The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, nearly fell victim of the cataclysm, as a voice note was mischievously released on the social media, inciting Christians to retaliate the murder of Deborah. Tension began to build, but Babachir was quick to give a rebuttal, distancing himself from the voice. The aim of course was to link religion with race, even amongst people living in the same region.

The same Babachir Lawal is still the focus of public attention, this time around on the thorny issue of the choice of presidential running mates in the country. Babachir, a chieftain of APC and a native of Adamawa state, Atiku Abubakar’s state of origin, is warning the APC against allowing a Muslim as running mate to it’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, who is also a Muslim, saying, Nigerians are still conscious of ethno-religious factors in politics.

When asked if it was time for northern Christians that are allegedly marginalised, to be placated with the nomination of one of them as Tinubu’s running mate, Lawal said,

“I will answer this question in a roundabout way. A political party is in the business of winning elections and to win elections, you need to get the votes to beat your opponents. The way I see it is that in choosing your vice-president, that must be paramount in your mind. You can have the best ticket but if you don’t win elections, it is a waste of time”.

But Kaduna state Governor, Mallam Nasir El-rufai, who is the first to remove the clothe of religion from the gubernatorial ticket of the state, thinks differently. When asked to react to the clamour for Christians as running mates of the leading presidential candidates for 2023, said:

“You are asking the wrong person because I don’t look at people from the lens of Muslim Muslim or Christian Christian. Most of my friends are Christians. It was Tunde Bakare, a Pentecostal pastor that invited me to CPC, not President Buhari. I don’t think the business of governance has to do with religion, I think we should look for the best person for the job, let’s look for competence, capacity. I am the wrong person to ask because in my state I looked and chose my deputy as a Christian woman. This fixation of Nigerians with religion is worrying”.

Indeed it is worrying, and the sooner we do something about it the better. Otherwise, opportunists would keep manipulating our politics, by using race, region and religion to threaten our peaceful coexistence, especially in the build up to 2023.

Sequel to another religiously volatile video that is trending on the social media, Maiwada Danmallam commented thus on his Facebook page:

“A video that has gone viral purportedly shows a Catholic priest telling members without Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) to return home. The video has been shared by multiple users on Twitter, including a political activist, Rinu Oduala, who has been on the frontline for PVC enrolment. Though details remain sketchy as to where and when the incident took place, however, the cleric as seen in the footage stressed that none of the congregants should bother coming for mass without their PVC in hand”.

By implication, Maaji Maiwada Danmallam is sending a warning, that the country should be cautious, or else, opportunists would keep manipulating our politics, by using race, region and religion to threaten our peaceful coexistence.

But despite all the manipulations, no one can specifically mention the precise race or region of religion in Nigeria. Yet, we are ready to go into a ruction, because of the rifts in religions .

Bala Ibrahim is a broadcast Journalist and a public affairs commentator

Politics

Gov. Gida-Gida and Ganduje: The Firing of Unwarranted Political Salvos-Adamu Aminu

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Former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Successor Abba Kabir Yusuf

 

By Adamu Aminu.

It is extremely disheartening to see how recently our two elder statesmen, the Kano state Governor, His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusif, politically known as Abba Gida-Gida, and his immediate predecessor, the ex-Kano and present APC National chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, are busy exchanging salvos directly at each other.

The exchanges of verbal brawls through their spokesmen emanated shortly after Governor Abba Kabir Yusif inaugurated two judicial commissions of inquiry to investigate cases of misappropriation of public property, political violence, and missing persons from 2015 to 2019 to 2023.

It was unfortunate; all the accusations and counter-accusations from both sides were riddled with harsh and demeaning words, deemed unrepeatable and unworthy to come from our respected leaders who are beating chests of leading Kano, the state that has reached the zenith of political maturity in the whole nation.

I was automatically dumbfounded by how the exchanged salvos and political sarcasm were randomly so directed at each other, without revisiting the fact that history never lies; someday, posterity will judge them.

This comes at a time when the warring parties should set aside their differences and make Kano their concern and priority, but they resorted to opening the doors of all blackmailing arsenals at their disposal, overtly directed at each other, without knowing that their utterances and accusations are doing more harm than good to Kano state in general.

This came at a time when our counterpart States in the South, like Lagos, Rivers, and others, have already set politics aside and deeply engaged in the execution of developmental projects for their people, but Kano, a state of whole-tenure politics, is dragging feet towards the fulfillment of promises during electioneering campaigns.

At this time when most Kano industries are not functional, there is no portable water, unemployment, poverty, hunger, and thuggery clogging the wheels of Kano’s economic development, instead, they resorted to engaged in trading bitter words and pointing accusing fingers at themselves.

I think it’s time for our Excellency, the state governor Abba Kabir Yusif, and his predecessor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to wake up from their slumbers and stop demeaning themselves politically.

Trading accusations of one’s incompetence, docility, and another’s accusation of land grabbing and rat-like behavior is not the utmost priority for Kano populace.

It’s time to stop deceiving ourselves with the longstanding Kano praise “Kano Tumbin Giwa, Ko dame Kazo An Fika,” which means Kano, the melting pot, whatever you came along with, you’re far left behind. Kano state in this modern era deserves to be far from where it is now.

I do hope and pray that Governor Abba and his predecessor Ganduje make Kano and Kanawas their utmost priority. They are our role models, exchanging incendiary remarks with each other will show that politics isn’t only a dirty game, it’s a dirty war of raining curses and abuses.

They should know that someday around this time, they will be no more; only their legacies will make them immortal in the memory of Kano populace.

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Politics

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf Is The Head of All Political Parties in Kano-Dala

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In a surprising turn of events following Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s recent victory at the Supreme Court, Anas Abba Dala, a former APC chieftain and a devoted supporter of the Governor, has declared that Governor Yusuf is now the de facto head of all political parties in Kano. This assertion includes the APC, the NNPP, and the PDP.

Speaking exclusively to Kano based radio station Freedom Radio, Anas Abba Dala expressed his conviction that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s Supreme Court triumph has positioned him as a unifying figure transcending party lines. Dala, who was once a prominent member of the APC, emphasized the significance of the Governor’s victory in unifying Kano’s political landscape.

In the interview, Dala highlighted the historical context of Governor Yusuf’s political journey, acknowledging the Governor’s ability to garner support across party lines. He commended the Supreme Court’s decision, declaring it a victory for not only the PDP but for all political parties in Kano.

Anas Abba Dala’s statement reflects a shifting political narrative, as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s leadership is perceived as a unifying force that transcends partisan affiliations. The Supreme Court’s validation of the Governor’s victory serves as a catalyst for a renewed sense of political collaboration and cooperation in Kano.

While this declaration is likely to stir conversations within the political sphere, it underlines the potential for a more inclusive and cooperative political landscape in Kano under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s leadership. As the news of this assertion spreads, it will be interesting to observe how political dynamics in Kano evolve in response to this declaration of unity across party lines.

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Politics

Non-indigenes in Kano Unite in Prayer for Dr Nasir Gawuna’s Success at Supreme Court

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Honourable Seyi Olorunsola, a prominent APC stalwart and Opinion Leader in Kano, has mobilized the non-indigenous Christian community to fervently pray for the success of Dr Nasir Gawuna, the APC candidate, in an impending Supreme Court hearing. This legal battle arises from the NNPC’s appeal, led by Governor Abna Yusuf, challenging the results of the March 18, 2023, Gubernatorial elections in Kano State.

At a prayer conference organized by Honourable Seyi, the non-indigenous Christian community gathered to intercede for Dr Nasir Gawuna, seeking divine intervention in the pursuit of reclaiming his mandate. Honourable Seyi urged attendees to persevere in prayer until victory is secured and cautioned against potential interference, notably mentioning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizing the need to remain unaffected by NNPP propaganda aiming to undermine the APC administration.

Expressing gratitude to the judiciary for upholding the rule of law, Honourable Seyi emphasized the crucial role of the judiciary in ensuring justice. He encouraged them to remain vigilant until justice is unequivocally served, highlighting the commitment to a fair and impartial legal process, free from external influences.

Addressing NNPP concerns about the legitimacy of the APC victory, Honourable Seyi reassured the public of the APC’s commitment to the democratic process. The call for prayers from the non-indigenous Christian community not only testifies to their faith but also demonstrates solidarity with Dr Nasir Gawuna.

The prayer conference also included appeals for peace and prosperity in Kano State and Nigeria at large, emphasizing a broader vision for a united and flourishing nation. The collective hopes extend beyond the immediate political context, envisioning a Kano and Nigeria where peace prevails, prosperity thrives, and democratic principles are upheld.

Honourable Seyi Olorunsola’s call for a prayer conference reflects not just the intensity of the political situation in Kano but also underscores the significance of faith and unity during times of uncertainty.

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