RELIGION SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR IN NIGERIA ELECTORAL SYSTEM.
I’m comrade, Bature Johnson the president and founder of [IAADHR] International Association for Advancement and Defense of Human Rights and it has become imperative to hold this press conference here in Maiduguri on these topics;
RELIGION SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR IN NIGERIA ELECTORAL SYSTEM.
We are stakeholders in the Nigerian Project and a body of activist who are committed to the development of Nigeria and her citizenry.
1. The present debate on religion that have permeated our political space ought not be allowed to fester as all hand must be on deck to see a Nigeria free from religious sentiments in our choice of leaders.
Religious leaders need to desist from being manipulated by unscrupulous politicians, to foment trouble and disunity for selfish gains. None of the holy book preaches intolerance and shedding innocent blood. Despite the massive proliferation of house of worship in the nation, almost competing against residential buildings, crimes such as corruption, human trafficking, ritual killings, fraud, greed, kidnapping and rape is still on the upswing. We remain very religious yet ungodly, because, the religious leaders have failed the society. We must resist the manipulative antics of the so called religious leaders.
2. The choice of Senator Kashim Shettima as the vice presidential candidate of the APC will ensure that the pitfalls that affected President Muhammadu Buhari's administration will be avoided given his track record and antecedents. We make bold to say that it is the prayers of every citizens that is needed for successes so that the myriads of problems facing us as a country will become a thing of the past’ as our country will be in safe hands.
3. The reference to Senator Kashim Shettima as a sponsor of Boko Haram insurgency is nothing but pure mischief of fallacy.
4. It is our fervent believe that in a democratic system, political parties with the attendant manifestos, ideology, policy programs, and possible working class with diverse interests; including gender issues and assurance of justice in the judicial system should be the basic factors for considerations that guides elections and voters choice over and above religious sentiments.
5. In Nigeria we must ensure that political parties are not allowed to become ecumenical gatherings or an inter faith institutions where political parties and religious bodies are amalgamated, rather political parties should be the vehicle that drives good governance and ensure that the affairs of men and women in our society are properly situated and run. The church, mosque and shrines must be separated from the affairs of our dear country.
6. A succinct appraisal of Nigeria's political history would reveal that religion had never been used as a factor in determining our leaders. Thus, you have an Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe both Christians from the South contesting elections with Sir Ahmadu Bello a Muslim from the North.
These individuals belong to political parties whose members cut across the different part of the country. At present, those canvassing religious sentiments are doing so for mischievous reasons and as such should be discountenanced.
7. We make bold to assert and clearly too that those fanning the embers of religion do not mean well for Nigeria.
8. Thus what Nigeria need with emphasis are individuals with proven integrity, competence and record of public service who would serve and add value to Nigeria and ensure that our future is in safe hands.
It is time for the religious leaders to go into mechanized farming/manufacturing, so as to contributes, meaningfully to the dwindling economy. If the moral fiber of the nation must be strengthened, then our religious leader need to do a lot of soul-searching, asking themselves, the pertinent questions of where they got it wrong, that led the nation to the present sad level of moral decadence, until this is done, the nation will remain a laughing stock in the committee of other nation.
We want to assert that our bitterness due to political differences would carry Nigeria to nowhere and we are appealing to the political leaders in Nigeria to take a control of their party extremists.
Thanks you all, gentlemen of the press,
Comrade Bature Johnson T, President /founder of [IAADHR]
International Association for Advancement and Defense of Human Rights (AADHR)