The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) Nigeria has expressed support for the forthcoming 2023 general elections, noting it is a necessary step to realise the will of the people.
In a statement issued by its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, MPAC urged Muslims to be well-informed about electoral issues, candidates’ characters and track records, and political parties’ positions on national issues.
“MPAC supports the coming elections as a necessary step in helping to realize the will of the Nigerian people, who seek security, prosperity and social services to improve the quality of their daily lives and determine the course of the future of our country.
“As a non-partisan Muslim organization, we promote informed, multi-issue, committed voting and call for transparent elections that are violence-free. In our ELECTION 2023; MPAC Guidelines and Recommendations, released on 8th December, 2022, Muslim voters are urged to become well informed about electoral issues, candidates’ character, their track records, and the political parties’ positions and policies regarding important national issues,” the statement read.
“In free and fair elections, voting for one’s choice candidates – even if they or their parties do not win and form a government – is not a ‘waste’ of vote. Each valid ballot that is cast registers a political position, a ringing statement and sends a strong message to all politicians that informed voters’ concerns must be taken seriously.”
The centre also called on election stakeholders, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to respect the choice of voters and make their votes count.
It charged those who will turn out successful at the polls to lead with total dedication, fear of God and personal sacrifice to build a Nigeria that is in harmony with core Islamic values, good governance and equality.
“In that light, MPAC calls on all parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to respect the right of voters to vote according to their conscience in peace, make their votes count and for election workers, politicians and the Nigeria Police to run peaceful and secure campaigns.
“We urge whomever God allows to become our elected representatives to work with total dedication, fear of God and personal sacrifice to build a Nigeria that is in harmony with core Islamic values, one that is committed to piety, good governance, equality, peace and the rule of law.
“We hope that the MPAC’s Guidelines and Recommendations provide useful input to all eligible voters that will participate in the balloting in 2023 to vote for the candidates of their choice that they believe will serve our country well. As we approach the election days, the themes of tolerance, fairness, justice and freedom must become common goal in the conduct of political players and that of their supporters.”
Frowning against violence, MPAC tasked Islamic scholars and Muslim leaders to speak out against it, while urging the youths not to allow desperate politicians use them as thugs to disrupt the electoral exercise.
“MPAC also calls on our Islamic scholars, Imams and Muslim student leaders to speak out forcefully in their day-to-day sermon and reiterate the Quran’s clear stand against violence at all times and especially during this election period. Muslim youths must not allow desperate and selfish politicians, who do not have their love and interests at heart, to use them as political thugs that will employ violence towards civilians or disrupt the exercise in any way.
“As the Qur’an clearly states, “If anyone slays a human being… it shall be as though he had slain all mankind” (5:32). Islam considers the use of violence to achieve political purposes to be unacceptable as well as a complete violation of its principles. We must remain clear and honest with ourselves about destructive forces, and the damage those forces inflict on humanity.
“In the 2023 elections, the Nigerian people and our politicians have a heavy responsibility to be God-fearing and not to go down the well-trodden but self-destructive road of sectarian or political violence. Say: “O God! Lord of Power (and Rule) thou givest Power to whom Thou pleasest and Thou strippest off power from whom Thou pleasest, thou enduest with honor whom thou pleasest and thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest; in Thy hand is all Good.” Qur’an 3:26.”
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