A former Special Adviser to the Governor of Kaduna State on Islamic Matters, Sheikh Halliru Abdullahi Maraya, has said that 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 Nigeria appeared divided along religious fault lines.
In an issued statement titled: “Islamic View On Same-faith Presidential Ticket in Today’s Nigeria“, Sheikh Maraya said, ”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.”
According to the renowned Muslim scholar, ”Nigeria is a multi-religious country of more than 200 million people who are Muslims and non-Muslims. Hence, one can say that the country is owned by more than 200 million 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, gives vent to the spirit of justice, fairness and equity as enshrined in the religion of Islam. Remember, the country is for 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.
“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 Islamic scholar stated.
