The Network for Democracy and Development (NDD)has condemned the illiberal disposition of some religious groups against people of other religions.
The group in a release jointly signed by Tajudeen Alabede,National Coordinator and Muhammad Jameel Muhammad,General Secretary,expressed worries over a recent flyer that was widely circulated on the social media where a particular religious group equated a vote for a non-Christian as a vote for a “swine”.
“This is derogatory, offensive and provocative. We call on the leadership of the group to withdraw the insensitive material and apologise to Nigerians.
“It is further discomforting that when a southern Muslim emerges through a competitive primary election as the presidential flagbearer of any of the registered political parties, some ardent promoters of rotational presidency between the North and the South do not believe that justice, equity and fairness have been served. To them, only a southern Christian should succeed the outgoing Muslim President of northern extraction. This is a double standard. For instance, during the 2007 general elections, there were more Christian presidential candidates who campaigned to succeed former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a Christian”NDD said.
NDD said recent frenzy by certain religious bodies and the tone of the national conversation about the 2023 elections revealed that, to many of Nigerian, more than at any other time, religion was one of the key factors that would determine the direction of the upcoming general elections.
“Ours is a democracy that is anchored on the principle that regards political parties as the only structure through which political leaders can be elected. While external stakeholder groups can express their preferences loudly they, nonetheless, cannot force the process on any political party. The outcome of intra-party democratic processes depends on internal dynamics within such parties. This is part of the realities that come with our choice of democracy over autocracy. This is also the beauty of multi-party democracy which allows the electorate to make a choice from among the options presented by different parties.
“Besides, there still seems to be the mischievous belief that the North/South political divide is synonymous with Muslim/Christian demographic divide. This is demographically fallacious and politically dangerous.
“Our system needs to grow to a point whereby a southern Muslim or a northern Christian can pass through the whole gamut of the electoral process to emerge as a democratically elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigeria should be led by those who build bridges of understanding and cultivate deep friendship across political, regional, ethnic and religious divides.
“In the same vein, the idea of using religion as the primary basis for electing Presidents is awkward and impractical. In a multi-religious nation like ours, nobody can force all political parties to choose presidential candidates from only one religious background during an election season. That can only provide ground for an avoidable national crisis.
“The basis for electoral choices should not be reduced to narrow ethno-religious considerations. It is imperative that citizens place a high premium on issue-based conversations and political campaigns as we seek better ways to tackle the nation’s myriad of problems and make governance work for our people.
“What Nigeria needs at any point in time is a President who will serve the entire country faithfully and competently and be a true protector of the rights and legitimate interests of all Nigerians.
“It is important at this critical juncture that the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), the apex platform for inter-religious engagement, ensures that leaders of the Muslim and Christian communities show genuine commitment to a peaceful political transition.
“Political parties have elected their presidential candidates. In exercising their right to make informed choices, religious groups have a duty to respect the right of people of other faiths. The legitimate interests of all stakeholder groups can only be protected in a stable polity. Religion can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace.
“God bless Nigeria”the group added.
However,NDD has commended the aggressive sensitisation of citizens to observe their civic duty at the next general elections.
