The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has dismissed beliefs that 2023 elections will decide the fate of Nigeria.
Sultan reminded them that humans have limitations in every area of endeavour, in addition to the fact that only the Almighty Allah can decide the fate of any country including Nigeria and its people.
In his remarks at the fourth quarterly meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja, on Tuesday, the Sultan who is the co-chairman of the Council challenged Nigerians to disappoint the prophets of doom by approaching the elections with the spirit of sportsmanship and not the mindset of “do or die”.
He said: “I don’t believe in the general statement that 2023 general elections is a make or mar time for Nigeria. The election will be a peaceful and successful one to the disappoinment of the enemies of the country.
“But to achieve that, we must not play to the hands of enemies of Nigeria who are promoting hate and divisive campaigns that the coming elections will decide the fate of this country. No one but Allah can decide the fate of Nigeria and every other country in the world. Let’s not play into their hands and agenda. Rather, we should go out and campaign, and when the time for election comes, we cast our vote and leave the rest for God. These countries that are predicting and promoting doom for Nigeria also have their numerous problems.
“We are all aware of happenings in these countries. Undoubtedly, we have our problem, but we are far better than some of these countries in terms of opportunity to resolve the problem. So, we should look for home grown solutions to our problems and not entertain unrealistic predictions from western world.
“I can tell you that some European countries are not better than us. The only difference is that they have systems that work effectively. So, we need to make our systems work effectively so we can catch up with them in terms of development. Effective and efficient systems would encourage Nigerians living abroad to return and contribute to the development of Nigeria. We need to be committed and serious.”
President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, who is also co-chairman of the Council, advocated regular conversation with all stakeholders, particularly the political class that will appeal to their conscience to see election as a channel of service to the people and not “do or die” affair.
He said that to usher in the expected freshness in the body polity, the new set of political leaders that will emerge post 2023 general elections and all Nigeria must collectively resolve to deal with the culture of impunity that places the political class above the law, and deprives the ordinary citizens of their legitimate rights.
He also recommended strong institutions that would checkmate or regulate electoral violence, stressing that otherwise would allow defaulters to get away with heinous crimes that ought to be punished.
He suggested that hate campaign speeches by politicians that paint the opposition in a derogatory and defamatory language in a bid to make him/her unacceptable to electorates even if he/she has a better understanding of the challenges should also be discouraged, among several other recommendations.
Meanwhile, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, in his speech appreciated the unwavering commitment of NIREC under the championship of Sultan of Sokoto and President of CAN, to the mission of peaceful co- existence, security and development of our nation.
He, however, reminded the leadership of NIREC of their critical role in the coming general election, because they are regarded as the spiritual heads, influencers and custodians of theology and ethics which the followers look up for guidance. “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, regardless.”
He reiterated that President Muhammadu Buhari has provided every necessary requirement for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the election is conducted in a peaceful and credible manner.
“It is, therefore, the time for the religious leaders to take this campaign to the different wards and communities of this country and other spheres of influence by urging eligible Nigerians to conduct themselves peacefully during and after general elections,” he advised.
