The Grand Mufti of the Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafii’ has charged the two leading candidates for the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria to make fight against indiscipline and corruption their topmost priority.
As citizens warm up for the general elections, the preponderance of opinions is that it is going to be a two-horse race between former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Interestingly, while Tinubu is a Muslim from the Yoruba-speaking southwest, Atiku is a fellow Muslim from the northeastern region of Nigeria.
The Lagos-based Islamic scholar in an interview with Muslim News, described the two candidates as “brothers in the Deen”, telling them to see their emergence as flag bearers of their political parties as the will of Allah and a great responsibility.
According to him, “First is that they were not the only ones that aspired for the candidacy of their parties but Allah has made it possible for both of them. As Muslims, we must be clear that attaining power is not a consequence of wisdom, wealth, rather it is the design of Almighty Allah.
“Allah told the Prophet in Suratu Aal Imraan, Qur’an Chapter 3 vs 26 to convey to the people that sovereignty resides with Him alone. And He gives it to whom He wishes; at the same time, He sacks power from whomever He wishes. This should be an insight for the two candidates that Almighty Allah made it possible for them to emerge.
“Similarly, as Muslims, we must see any office we occupy as a responsibility. I urge the two brothers to see the office of the president they are aspiring for as such. The Prophet said everyone is a shepherd and shall account for his flock. He started by listing a leader as a shepherd. This includes presidents, governors, chairmen. They would all be responsible for those they lead. The implication of this is that whoever emerges among the two leading candidates will be responsible for no less than 200 million people in this country. It’s a huge responsibility indeed.
“Therefore, they must start thinking ahead and strategising. Power as far as Islam is concerned is not about amassing wealth, neither is it merriment. It’s a responsibility. Essentially, our country is at a crossroads, considering the many challenges we are facing,” he said.
According to Sheikh Shafii’, anybody who wants to succeed in leading Nigeria must be ready to wage war against indiscipline and corruption.
“Whoever emerges must on his part be steadfast and ready to entrench steadfastness across the board. Corruption and indiscipline are the roots of the majority of the challenges we face as a nation. The insecurity we face today, economic meltdown, low educational quality, infrastructural gaps are caused by corruption. Many people are corrupt in Nigeria and to deal with this situation, leaders must stand firm too. It’s a top to bottom process.
“During the lifetime of Umar (May Allah be pleased with him), the Muslims had returned with so many valuables from a war. Umar therefore commended them, saying they were trustworthy. Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) came out to say it was rather the example of Umar because he has shown to be firm over the years. So, tackling corruption is a top to bottom process. Whoever emerges like I said must show steadfastness. Even if their past had been corrupt, upon assumption, they have to change and show leadership.”
The scholar, who is also an Imam of popular faith-based organisation, The Muslim Congress (TMC) made reference to a Quranic citation to guide the candidates in their plans and strategies.
He said, “In Suratul Hajj, Chapter 22 vs 41, Allah said those whom we gave power on earth are expected to protect religion. Ensuring solah is a way of protecting religion. Worship centres must be safe. In Nigeria, there are two major religions, Islam and Christianity. Our leaders must be ready to make our religious centres safe. An Islamic leadership, for example, must monitor what is happening in the mosque. Religion is therefore important in the governance of society. It is fundamental and builds the relationship between man and God.
“Another point Allah made reference to was the issue of Zakat, that is welfarism. Zakat is a fundamental pillar of the Islamic economy. Though Nigeria is not an Islamic state, if the government incorporates the initiative of Zakat, the benefits we’ll be getting from it would be a whole lot. Part of it is also the issue of tax administration. Tax is very important for the economy. Competent people should be appointed to lead our tax administration in the country.
“The third point is that a good government enjoins righteousness and condemns evil. It delivers public goods and development. Our values and ethos must be revisited. They are fast dying and immorality is creeping into the system.”
Sheikh Shafii’, who stressed that the unity of the country is very important, told the candidates to be ready to assess and address claims of marginalisation among some ethnic and religious groups.
“Part of my advice is that your manifestos, roadmaps should be available and clear to the public. The priorities like I said should be about waging war against corruption, and under it security, economy, education, health, infrastructure, welfarism. Your campaigns should be issue-based and peaceful.
“The unity of this country is also very important. There are claims of marginalisation everywhere. The candidates must assess them and be ready to address them as well. Everyone should be treated with fairness on all grounds (religion, ethnicity, region).
“Our prayer like our past scholars do say is for Allah to give us the best among them all because He knows better. They have offered themselves, we beseech Allah to empower the best candidate.”
