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Renown Islamic Cleric Opposes Same Faith Ticket For Presidency, Proffers Solution

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4 years ago

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Sheikh Halliru Maraya

 

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

A renowned Islamic Cleric and the Former Special Adviser to the Governor of Kaduna State
On Islamic Matters and Hajj,Sheik Haliru Abdullahi Maraya has called on Nigerians especially Muslim politicians to avoid the pressure of succumbing to the calls for a Muslim-Muslim Presidential Ticket .

In a press release buttressing his opinion on Monday 4 July 2022 ,which was distributed to pressmen, the sheik explained that

“Nigeria is a multi-religious country of more than 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 background. 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.

He further explained that the country is better off with a presidential ticket which has the President and his running mate coming different religious backgrounds.
This he added would have fulfilled the constutional requirements of the country

“In any event, the combination of people of different religious background, on a presidential ticket, appears to give vent to the constitutional requirement that the composition of the federal government and its agencies should reflect the federal character of the country, and the need to promote national unity, thereby ensuring that there is no predominance of sectional groups in the government, as enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended.

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2023: Groups Urge Tinubu to Consider Marwa as Presidential Running Mate.
He went on to add “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. 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.

The revered Sheik slammed the idea of a Muslim-Muslim ticket as it would only exacerbate tensions along religious lines by adding those promoting such idea for not mean well for the country.

“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.

The Sheik further argued that all the religions in the country for have people adequately endowed to be nominated as running mates to either a Muslim or Christian presidential candidate

” Undoubtedly, 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.

To balance the geographical and ethnic sentiments in the country, our politicians and major political parties have never contemplated fielding candidates of the same geographical and ethnic leanings. In other words, they have never fielded a north-north or a south-south presidential ticket.

In recent times, Nigerians have been divided on ethnic cum religious lines since Governor Nasiru El Rufai of Kaduna State urged the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is a Muslim to choose a running mate who should be a Muslim as well

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Defence Minister Tasks Service Chiefs to Visit Terror-Hit North-West and North-East

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2 hours ago

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March 11, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has directed the nation’s service chiefs to conduct on-the-ground visits to the North-West and North-East regions to reassess and revitalize ongoing military operations against terrorists.

The directive was issued on Wednesday during a high-level security meeting convened by the minister at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence in Abuja. The meeting was called to address the pressing security challenges plaguing the two zones.

Confirming the development to TheCable, Timothy Antigha, the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, stated that the service chiefs are expected to embark on the visits imminently. Upon their return, they are to submit comprehensive reports detailing their findings and proposing strategic adjustments to enhance the effectiveness of military operations in the troubled regions.

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The minister’s directive follows a concerning surge in attacks by terrorist groups, who have recently intensified assaults on military installations, leading to the deaths of several personnel.

In a significant escalation on Monday, fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) overran a military facility in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, during which a commanding officer was killed.

The following day, troops in the same locality successfully repelled another early-morning assault, also attributed to ISWAP fighters, highlighting the sustained pressure on forces in the region.

This recent spate of violence includes an attempted incursion by suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters on military positions in Ngoshe, Gwoza LGA, about a week prior. The Nigerian Air Force responded with air strikes in that engagement, reporting that over 50 of the suspected terrorists were neutralized.

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Court Grants PDP Permission for Out-of-Court Settlement in Convention Dispute

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2 hours ago

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March 11, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State, has granted all parties involved in the legal battle over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elective convention leave to pursue an out-of-court settlement.

Justice Biobele Georgewill, who led a three-man panel on Wednesday, urged the factions to prioritize a peaceful resolution in the best interest of the party. Consequently, the case has been adjourned sine die (indefinitely) to allow for the settlement process to proceed.

“This Court has granted leave for settlement in this matter,” Justice Georgewill stated. “All parties involved should be mindful of the election timetable as released by INEC. The counsel representing the various parties are in the best position to advise their clients.”

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He directed that the court be formally informed in writing of the outcome of the discussions, regardless of whether an agreement is reached. As a result, all pending motions in the case have been adjourned sine die.

The dispute stems from a leadership crisis within the party. Recall that on Monday, a separate Court of Appeal in Abuja had invalidated the party’s elective convention, which was held in Ibadan. That ruling upheld a disciplinary committee’s decision concerning certain party members.

However, the legal landscape was complex, as Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court had previously validated the same convention in a ruling on a case instituted by one Folahan Adelabi, through his counsel, Musibau Adetunmbi, SAN.

In his submission on Wednesday, Justice Georgewill cautioned all parties to be conscious of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable for the 2027 general elections, implying the need for a swift resolution. All counsel present at the hearing aligned with the court’s position to pursue a peaceful settlement.

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Dual Party Membership Now a Criminal Offence with N10m Fine, House Rules

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2 hours ago

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March 11, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The House of representatives has amended the Electoral Act 2026 to criminalise dual membership of political parties.

Under the new provision, individuals found guilty of belonging to more than one political party at the same time will face a fine of N10 million and a maximum prison term of two years.

The lower legislative chamber passed the amendment during Wednesday’s plenary.

The amendment introduces three new subsections to section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, which deals with political party membership.

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The amendment provides that any individual found to be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time will have such membership declared void.

“A person shall not be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time,” the provision reads.

“Where it is established that a person is registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time, such dual membership shall be void, and the person shall cease to be recognised as a valid member of any political party pending regularisation in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the constitution of the political party concerned.

“A person who knowingly registers or maintains membership in more than one political party at the same time commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of
N10,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term of two years, or both.”

If signed into law, the amendment is expected to strengthen the legal framework governing party affiliation and curb cases of multiple party memberships.

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