By Ochiaka Ugwu
The President of Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 has chided those saying that 2023 elections will make or break the nation, stating that it is only God that would decide the fate of Nigeria.
Sultan Sa’ad who made this known in Abuja Tuesday at the 4th Quarter of 2022 Meeting of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) noted that a lot of people make comments about 2023 as a make-or-break election for Nigeria.
Sultan while making his opening remarks, said a lot of people make comments about 2023 as a make-or-break election for Nigeria, “And I don’t believe in that, I refuse to believe in that. It is just an election that people will go out, cast their vote in peace and whoever emerges the leader will be the leader of this country”
“So, I don’t believe it is a make or break election, and we must not play into the hands of those elements of Nigeria who keep on parading those issues as this is the election that will decide the fate of this nation, only Allah decides the fate of this country”.
Sultan urged politicians and electorate to go out and campaign peacefully, elect the leader they think is best for Nigeria during the elections and the rest would be left to Almighty Allah.
“Let us have the fear of Allah in whatever we do and have this Nigerian project at heart so that we counsel our followers, we the traditional and religious leaders will counsel our followers, so that we do what we believe is best for all of us as one big family with different background.
“We must come together, put ethnicity and religion behind us and face the reality of life. Whatever we do, we must fear almighty Allah because he is going to ask us”, he added.
President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Co-Chairman of NIREC, Archbishop Daniel Okoh noted that questions and doubts were being expressed about Nigeria’s capacity and political will to conduct free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.
He said since independence in 1960, violence and electoral irregularities have become constant features of the process of electing the country’s leaders and the most worrisome point is always the number of deaths associated with them.
“Politics of corruption, intimidation, exclusion and violence are now regarded by some elements in the society as necessary weapons of political victory in our country. This ugly trend robs Nigerian voters of the opportunity to freely choose their leaders.
“As we navigate the process to the 2023 general elections, the world is watching to see if there will be a relatively peaceful transition, or a repeat of the familiar ugly past always filled with pre-and post-electoral violence” he said.
While delivering his speech, Secretary To the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha said he was glad that the meeting comes at a time when the nation was preparing for its general election which was expected to be free, fair and credible that will eventually translate into National rebirth.
He said the leadership of NIREC have a critical role to play in this forthcoming General Election because they are regarded as the spiritual head, influences of society and also custodians of theology and ethics which the followers look up for guidance.
Mustapha noted that at this critical period of active political activities, the leadership of NIREC are expected to be apolitical in any of their dealings and should be father for all.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
