Centre for Promotion of Sharia raises concern over escalation of tension in 2023

By Musa Baba Adamu

Against the growing tension over the 2023 general election, a religious group, Centre for Promotion of Sharia (CPS) has cautioned politicians against exploiting religion and ethnicity to win undue advantage in the 2023 general election.

The CPS at a one-day consultative meeting of stakeholders of the Muslims in northern Nigeria, held in Abuja, said the move was contrary to the principles and spirit of democracy.

National Coordinator of the group, Aminu Muhammed, who addressed participants at the event, said it was necessary that Nigerians elected leaders “not based on sentiments, but on the candidate’s ability to build bridges of consensus across the country.”

He also asked all presidential candidates in the upcoming poll to guarantee peace and security and to commit themselves to meeting the aspirations of Nigerians through prosperity and unity of citizens.

The national coordinator of the non-governmental think-tank said that the Saturday meeting of Ulamas, Imams, Intellectuals and Activists is meant to “dispassionately address issues that are critical to the survival and peaceful co-existence of the country,” especially as it affects Muslims.

Founded in 2000, the CPS is committed to Sharia development in the country, and to find ways of entrenching democratically elected governments that will provide equitable and transparent leadership.

It comprises Ulamas, Imams, Intellectuals and Activists from all the 19 states in the North.

“Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, despite skepticism of a section of the international community, Nigeria has remained consistent in peaceful transfer of power especially in 2007 and 2015. Nigerians have demonstrated their resilience and commitment in democracy.

“There have been serious threats to Nigeria’s corporate existence since the first military coup, the civil war and recent secessionists’ activities. Despite catastrophic predictions of a foreign-based organization, the Nigerian State has survived.

‘Like all previous transitions the politicians have overheated the polity in preparation for 2023 elections. The Centre for the Promotion of Shari’ah therefore, decided to host a consultative meeting to dispassionately address these issues that are critical to the survival and peaceful co-existence of the country.

“The Centre invited key stakeholders Consisting of imams, ulama, intellectuals and activists to discuss freely the major challenges of peaceful elections and entrenchment of a democratically elected regime that will govern the country in an equitable and transparent manner.

“Hence the need to discuss and consult on the various means of ensuring a level playing field for all presidential tickets as the constitution recognizes only citizenships not identities. Nigerians should elect leaders not based on sentiments but on the candidate’s ability to build bridges of consensus across the country”, he said.