Kaduna-based renowned Islamic Scholar, Northern Coordinator, Global Peace Foundation, Sheikh Halliru Abdullahi Maraya, has called on Muslims not to vote for any party that fields Muslim-Muslim tickets come the 2023 general election.
Newsonline reports that Sheikh Halliru Abdullahi Maraya, who was a former Special Adviser to a former governor of Kaduna State on Islamic Religious Matters and Hajj, said it was wrong for a true Muslim to support injustice by voting party that fields Muslim-Muslim tickets
Sheikh Halliru explained that the unity of Nigeria should be the priority of all Nigerians, not winning elections at all costs.
In a statement, on Monday, the renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Halliru, said since there is no Muslim who will support a Christian-Christian presidential ticket it is not right for them to support Muslim-Muslim tickets.
Sheikh Halliru condemned parties promoting the idea of a Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian presidential ticket, stating that they do not wish the country well especially now that it is divided along religious fault lines.
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“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 that the religion of Islam promotes and defends at all times.
“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.
“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 today, for the sake of the promotion of national unity and cohesion,” he said.
Sheikh Maraya said it is common sense and the appreciation of Nigeria’s religious diversity to abhor and discourage a same-faith presidential ticket.
Sheikh Hallirucalled on Muslims to vote only for competent presidential candidates who can fix the many problems facing the country and not on religious lines.
