By Godwin O. Odeh, Ph.D. & Professor Arshad Munir
It may be recalled that Pope Francis died on 21 April 2025 and consequently, on Thursday May 8, 2025 the cardinals in the Papal Conclave elected Pope Leo the XIV. The presence of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir, the Minsiter of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Affairs who headed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s delegation participating in Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural ceremony and mass on 18 May, 2025 promises a great deal to the politics, governance and administration of a multi-ethnic and religious state like Nigeria in the art and science of religious tolerance, peaceful co-existence and unity, and harmony. Nigerian Christians and Muslims are found across the 36 States of the federation and even the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. In their various states of residents Christians and Muslims are either found maintaining a majority or minority status, in whichever, case their interest must be represented and their voices heard. Thus, this strategic call on the State Governors in the northern and southern part of Nigeria to appoint S.As on Christians or Muslims & Interreligious Matters for effective inclusion of the adherents of the two most famous creeds in the country becomes imperative. The office of the SA Christians or Muslims and Interreligious Matters should be in addition to having S.A on Resident Community, which has been the practice in some states. The differences between the two S.As and the operations shall be expounded later.
During electioneering campaign adherents of either religions faced varieties of threat in the name of political maneuvering. For instance, in Sokoto State when the current APC led administration of Ahamd Aliyu Sokoto, Ph.D., FCNA was inaugurated on 29 May 2023, almost two years ago. The administration came with a kind of mixed feelings for some Christian elements in the State given the nature of politics and electioneering campaign strategy the then party in power in the State, the PDP adopted calling the APC an anti-Christian party and should not be elected into power in the State. In some states in the south and in Christian dominated zones this might be the experience of the Muslims too. In the view of analysts and commentators, though the strategy adopted by the Sokoto PDP was at best a campaign of calumny, it was easily substantiated by the APC Muslim/Muslim ticket of Mr. Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Mr. Kashim Shettima.
However, contrary to the so called initially presumed anti-Christian posture of the party at the State and Federal level; for Sokoto State, Governor Ahamd Aliyu has done well in the art of governance and politics of development , having impacted almost all areas of human endeavor in the State , ranging from agriculture, town and rural infrastructural development, commerce, healthcare services, education , electricity(power), Islamic religious affairs, water supply etc. The same experience goes to other states in the north and south and to the governors that knows their onions.
At the federal level , the APC led government of president Ahmed Bola Tinubu has been trying given some good policies and reforms that has been initiated , strategic interventions in human capacity development and social; welfare packages , which some are already yielding positive fruits. However, the federal government needs to consciously step up its security strategy to mitigate the resurgence of security threats in the northeast and kidnapping and banditry activities in the north central, particularly in Benue and Plateau States.
Globally and locally, on the issue of Muslim/Muslim ticket, the presence of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR and of the representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the epic inauguration of Pope Leo XIV added another tonic in the quest for global peace through tolerance and religious harmony while, rendering the fears and suspicions the said ticket elicited on the Nigerian masses unnecessary. In short, the presence of the representatives of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the inauguration of the pope mean so much to global peace in the world torn by the pandemic of religious violent and extremism fundamentally championed in the name of Christianity and Islam, with both claiming to be religion of peace. Of course, it is often said no one can be more catholic than the pope and so also, none can be more Islamic than the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Thus, people should tolerate one another irrespective of religious differences at national and global level. We all have the same ancestry, Adam, the first human creature of God that was neither a Christian nor a Muslim.
Having said this, let us come back to Nigeria, the focus of this treatise. This piece falls in special love with Sokoto State and will use it as model to other State as it is a kind of Saudi Arabia, particularly to Nigerian Muslims. The light from here could inspire other States in Nigeria, like the syrupy motto of the Sokoto State University, “It all begins here!” As noted, Governor Ahmad Aliyu has made commendable strides within just two years in office to have initiated transformational projects in the State, to the point some dare to call him “Mr. Project”. However, given the initial branding of the administration by the now opposition PDP, calling it anti-Christian party should it come to stay. One step remain to be taken in the art and enterprise of political inclusivity, and interreligious matters to allay the fears of these groups as events and happenings around the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV inspires us. This piece note and appreciate the office of S.A on Resident Community by Sokoto State Government, but religious matters should be isolated as some residents are Muslims while others are Christians. The point is, S.A Resident Community may be hold by a Christian or Muslims, but S.A Christian and Interreligious Matters should be exclusively Christian’s, while S.A on Muslims Matters, for States in the south and Christian dominated States should be exclusive reserve of Muslims. This would no doubt add a special tonic to the politics and governance of the seat of the revered Sokoto caliphate in which Sokoto State holds a unique cultural and spiritual significance in a religiously pluralistic Nigeria.
In short, Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s administration and leadership and his northern and southern counterparts should without delay strengthen interfaith intercourse, peaceful co-existence, religious tolerance and harmony by appointing S.A on Christian and Interreligious Matters. For the south, and Christian dominated States it should be S.A on Muslims Matters. For Sokoto in particular this strategic move would for sure:
Promote inclusivity in Sokoto as a model to other states by recognizing its diverse population. The Adviser would ensure Christian citizen’s voices are heard and concerns are addressed;
Enhance interfaith tolerance and dialogue. This would come by, by engaging with both Muslim and Christian leaders. The Adviser would facilitate mutual understanding and cooperation across religious table. This is what is done even in The Gambia, where about 95 per cent of the populations are Muslims;
Encourage peaceful co-existence. As matter of fact, Sokoto rich history and spiritual heritage makes an ideal location for promoting tolerance and understanding. From her, other core northern states will emulates and governors of Christian dominated south should appoint same for Muslim group in her domains; and
Showcase commitment to diversity. This appointment would demonstrate Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s dedication to building a united, inclusive Sokoto. In sum, the personnel would serve as representative of the Governor in key Christian’s programmes and once in a while attending different church denominations thereby bringing the goodwill messages of His Excellency to the group. What appeared near to this was during the administration of His Excellency Distinguished Senator Aliyu Magatarkada Wamakko. The creation of this office by the former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was part of the expectations of many after the death of Miss Deborah Paul over some religious skirmish. Similarly, if it is in the southern or Christian dominated States this strategic move is hoped to produce same positive results.
In summary, by embracing diversity and promoting religious tolerance and harmony, Nigerian governors would position their respective states and solidify their reputations as a beacon of peace and co-existence, and themselves would be regarded as icons of peace and religious tolerance contrary to the way and manner some of the administrations were earlier wrongly portrayed. If all the states become peaceful and religiously tolerant through this, it means the entire country has made a significant effort towards promoting global peace and understanding.
In conclusion, given the complexity of Nigerian State and its recurring security woes always woven or clad in religious armour, it is hopeful the appointment of Special Advisers on Christians or Muslims and Interreligious Matters /Affairs would in no small measures douse or de-escalate tension and constructs peace and harmony across the thirty states and by extension the entire Nigeria. Wishing Sokoto State and Nigeria a happy inauguration and Democracy Day in advance!
*Godwin O. Odeh, Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of History and International Studies, Sokoto State University, Nigeria. Professor (Dr.) Arshad Munir is of the Department of Islamic Studies, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan.
