From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
As political activities ahead of 2023 general elections gather momentum, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has appeal to politicians to consider politics as a service to the Nation, which should not be pursued as a do-or-die affair.
He, thus, asked that Nigerians be allowed to freely choose leaders they believe would lead them with justice, fairness and character in line with their request and prayers from God for good leaders.
Sultan’s appeal was contained in his goodwill and felicitation message to Muslim Ummah, ahead of Idul Fitr, which signifies the end of holy month of Ramadan proposed to hold Sunday or Monday next week.
He felicitated with Nigerian Muslim ‘Ummah and the entire Muslim world on the occasion of the 1443 AH ‘Idul Fitr, and beseech Allah to grant every one the opportunity to witness many more of it.
Sultan who is the President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), in a statement by the Director of Administration, NSCIA, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, reminded the people that another opportunity has presented itself for election of new political leaders that would pilot the affairs of the country for the next four years.
He urged Muslims to exercise their rights to contest for elective positions and also participate actively in the electoral process by not only obtaining their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) but also casting their votes on the days of elections, reminding them that it’s a religious duty for every Muslim to obtain his/her voter’s card.
Sultan also appealed to Muslims to continue to exercise patience and restraint in the interest of peace and national development, in spite of the ceaseless provocations received from those who ought to be their partners in
faith.
He made reference to the cases of persecution of Muslims particularly in Bauchi and many Southern states, including Rivers State University where Muslim students are denied of a befitting place of worship on campus, stating that the donation collected for the Mosque project is still being warehoused by the Council for over a decade.
“We are also concerned about the killing of a Muslim in Ijagbo and the vicious attacks perpetrated on peaceful demonstrators on 3rd February, 2022, while exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest over the decision of Oyun Baptist High School, Ijagbo, to deny some Muslim students entry into the school on account of their use of hijab. We demand the prosecution of those who were involved in the murder and violence,” Sultan demanded.
He, however, expressed concern about the skyrocketing prices of food stuff and other consumables in Nigeria, and appealed to the government to stem the tide of inflation, while urging traders to desist from the habit of arbitrarily increasing the price of food items.