The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Sa’ad Abubakar, has expressed worry that Nigerians have become more divided politically, ahead of the next general elections, in 2023.

 

 

He made his fears known on Saturday, at the 2019 General Assembly of the Da’awah Coordination Council of Nigeria, DCCN, which held at the Sultan’s Palace, in Sokoto.

 

 

He noted: “If Nigeria has these troubles in 2019, then, I have my fears over 2023. The signs are already on ground.

 

 

“Brothers no longer talk to each other. Friends are now divided in a very terrible way, because they have been insulting one another before the elections. Neighbours now hate each other, because they belong to different political parties”, he added.

 

 

The Sultan, noted that the 2019 elections witnessed a very disturbing trend with Religious Leaders, who ought to be neutral, openly pitching tent with Candidates.

 

 

The Sultan, said that despite the contest being between two Muslims who were the Candidates of the two major political parties, some respected Muslim and Christian Clerics, turned their worship places to an avenue of campaign, for either of the two Candidates.

 

 

He stressed: “We that are Religious Leaders, have to be careful of what we tell our followers, because most of them are not educated, and will take whatever you say as true.

 

“I have been an Observer of the election over the years, and have never declared support for any Candidate. As a Religious Leader, I have never asked Imams or Muslims Preachers to preach against anybody, or in support of any as well”, he asserted.

 

 

“Prior to 2019, you have heard and seen the Muslim and Christian Leaders preaching things that you find it difficult to respond to.

 

“We should ask ourselves why have things changed that way? Is it because of the greed of our Religious Leaders, who collect monies to preach their support for a particular Candidate? Let us try to discourage that, because the religion preaches love for all.

 

 

“2019 election has come and gone. Though there are court issues here and there, but let us begin to plan ahead of 2023, on how to ensure that we have Leaders that are our choice, and not those that are forced on people.

 

“So let us begin to plan on how to ensure peace and peaceful coexistence before, during, and after the general elections.

 

 

“Let us work towards peace and having a society where everybody is free to coexist in peace. Let us start working on our challenges from now, by trying to collectively decide to do what is right”, the Royal Father added.

 

He tasked Religious Leaders: “I want you to go back to your closet and ask yourself what you have done in using your influence to preach to people on the need for peace, and allow the will of God to prevail.

 

 

“We have much more challenges now, that we cannot in any way deny it. You have heard and seen that the challenges are real. You can see the insecurity in the North-West.” (PostNG)

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