- Religious bodies urge Fed Govt to put security agencies on alert
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) have cautioned political leaders and actors against making provocative and unguarded statements that could endanger democracy and the country.
Both religious bodies warned politicians to stop making statements that could worsen the current insecurity in the land and jeopardise the ongoing electoral processes.
The NSCIA, through its President General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, urged stakeholders to exercise calm over the outcome of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
The council’s Deputy Secretary General, Prof. Salisu Shehu, and its Director of Administration, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, gave the warnings in a statement yesterday in Abuja.
It noted that comments by politicians could put the country in a flare, if caution is not taken.
The statement said: “NSCIA cautions political leaders and actors against making provocative and unguarded statements which could drag the county into unnecessary anarchy.”
The apex Islamic organisation in Nigeria stressed that it is important that patriotic and well-meaning Nigerian leaders should support adherence to process and procedure in the on-going electoral process.
“This is because any inclination to un-procedural decision or action at this critical time is a direct call for anarchy, which will not yield any positive outcome to the nation,” it said.
NSCIA urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain undistracted and committed to its duty until it discharges it to a logical conclusion.
The council also advised Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to remain calm and prayerful, no matter the level of provocation from certain quarters, and prayed to Almighty Allah to keep the country stable and peaceful.
JNI, through Alhaji Abubakar III, urged the Federal Government to put its relevant agencies on alert against political and religious actors attempting to truncate the processes of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
In a statement, it expressed serious concern about “how some politicians and even some religious figures are bent on scuttling the election process with their misguided inciting utterances and threat”.
The statement by its Secretary General, Sheikh Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, expressed worry about inflammatory statements and venomous commentaries being peddled while collation of last Saturday’s elections is ongoing.
The Islamic organisation said such statements are capable of overheating the polity.
The statement said: “Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has observed with serious concern the most unfolding events arising from the collation of the 2023 general election results and the resultant inflammatory statements and venomous commentaries being peddled, which are tantamount to overheating the polity.
“We strongly believe that there are processes and procedures provided by the Constitution and the Electoral Act for those who disagree with the outcome of the election result process wholly or partly to seek for redress.
“We would equally like to remind all political gladiators that there must be a secured and peaceful Nigeria first and foremost before it is well-governed, which they all surprisingly aim at.
“As a religious body, we have noted with serious concern how some politicians and even some religious figures are bent on scuttling the process with their misguided inciting utterances and threats… This is not the way to go in a democratic setting.
“However, we call for caution and restraint from all stakeholders in the 2023 general election, that peace must not be jeopardised for the selfish interest of self-appointed messiah of Nigeria. Therefore, all must rise to the occasion to avoid the breakdown of law and order. As it is often said, a stitch in time saves nine!
“Therefore, the Federal Government, through its relevant agencies, should be at alert, swiftly act against all forms of actions and utterances capable of jeopardising the fragile peace we are enjoying.
“Nevertheless, we would strongly call on all security outfits and the general public not to have their guards lowered or relaxed due to the current apprehension, done deliberately. In addition, government must do everything possible to make categorical statement against any form of insurrection.
“On the other hand, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should go ahead with its statutory duties, with all sense of patriotism and due diligence until the electoral process is concluded. INEC should be reminded that its loyalty should be to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not to any vested interest.
“Meanwhile, Muslims must not relent in fervent prayers to Allah, for His apt intervention with total calm, peace and security, while Nigerians are implored to ignore all those calling us to insurrections in disguise or any other subtle attempt to undermine the will of the people, as there would not be development without peace and security, which we all yearn for,” it said.