The Ansar-ul-Deen Society of Nigeria has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and state governors to eschew sentiments and address challenges confronting every ethnic group with the same zeal and vigour.
The advice comes as Nigerians join other Muslims globally to celebrate the Islamic New Year, Hijrah 1441.
While arguing that the solution to all human needs lies within Islam, Ansar-Ud-Deen further appealed that the President, Governors and other political leaders should not exploit faults among Nigerians but unite them with their policies and programmes.
The Islamic organisation, in a congratulatory message by its National President, Dr AbdulRafiu Sanni, stressed that their policies and programmes should also address the increasing rate of unemployment in the country.
He said: “Islam, as we know it, has answers and solutions to all human challenges. Therefore, I implore our leaders and the followers to return to Allah and treat everyone justly as we celebrate Islamic New Year 1441AH.
“Additionally, I appeal to our politicians to desist from exploiting our fault lines to further their political interests. It is not healthy for the growth and development of Nigeria.
While noting that the Federal and State Governments may be doing their best to address the challenges confronting Nigerians, including insecurity, he argued that new ideas are needed to tackle the challenges without sentiments.
Sanni lamented that communities and towns that were last year immune to kidnapping are presently battling with various security issues.
“If as a country, we have lived peacefully in the past despite our religious and ethnic differences, why then is it becoming increasingly difficult for us to co-exist peacefully today? Why is it that today, we cannot discuss any developmental issue affecting our country, Nigeria, without resorting to avoidable religious and ethnic sentiments? Does poverty know religion? Does hunger know religion? Does affliction know religion? Does Kidnapping know religion or tribe?
“If our responses to these posers are in the negative, it, therefore, means that we must rise above those sentiments and confront the security challenges facing us as a country in unison if we must surmount them”.
The National President argued that policies that address unemployment must be introduced and implemented by the President, Governors and Ministers urgently.
“Since rising crime in the country is linked to unemployment, I wish to urge President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to walk its talk, concerning its desire to provide job opportunities for teeming youths”, he added.
Sanni, however, urged the youths to embrace peace and harmonious relationship rather than adopt violent strategies in their daily activities.
“But our youths too must stop making themselves available as willing tools for agent provocateurs who always profit from religious violence in Nigeria”.
The Ansar-ul-Deen leader added: “We must at all time show good examples, by ensuring peaceful co-existence in Nigeria in the face of obvious provocation from adherents of other religions”.
