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Nigeria: Group urges focus on good governance over religious politics
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Nigeria: Group urges focus on good governance over religious politics

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A Nigerian support group, the Grassroots Mobilisation Network (GMN), urged citizens to reject divisive religious rhetoric, particularly from Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir.
  • The group emphasized that good governance and justice, not religious affiliation, are crucial for Nigeria's North.
  • GMN called for religious leaders to promote tolerance and for voters to prioritize competence over religious identity in elections.

A Nigerian support group has called on the public to reject divisive religious rhetoric, urging that good governance and justice should be the priority for the country's northern region, rather than religiously motivated political platforms.

The Grassroots Mobilisation Network (GMN), a support group for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), issued a statement criticizing remarks attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir concerning Nigeria's religious identity and the status of Christians. The GMN stated that such comments undermine peace and social cohesion.

Islam is a religion of justice, fairness and the protection of the rights of all citizens. It does not preach hatred or claim superiority over others.

— Usman Bala IdrisSecretary-General of the Grassroots Mobilisation Network (GMN) describing the tenets of Islam in response to divisive rhetoric.

"Islam is a religion of justice, fairness and the protection of the rights of all citizens. It does not preach hatred or claim superiority over others," the GMN's Secretary-General, Usman Bala Idris, said in the statement. The group stressed that the views attributed to Jingir represent his personal opinions and not those of all Muslims or Islam.

A same-faith ticket is anti-people, anti-unity and against our divergent nature.

— Usman Bala IdrisSecretary-General of the Grassroots Mobilisation Network (GMN) criticizing the idea of a presidential ticket with candidates of the same religion.

Idris also criticized the concept of a same-faith presidential ticket, deeming it divisive in a religiously diverse nation. "A same-faith ticket is anti-people, anti-unity and against our divergent nature," he stated. He highlighted the long history of coexistence between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria, particularly in the North, and warned against exploiting religion for political gain.

The GMN urged political and religious leaders to exercise caution with statements that could escalate religious tensions. They encouraged voters to prioritize competence, character, and performance when choosing leaders, asserting that "What is important to the North is good governance, whether led by a Muslim or a Christian, provided it delivers justice, security, food and jobs for our people."

What is important to the North is good governance, whether led by a Muslim or a Christian, provided it delivers justice, security, food and jobs for our people.

— Usman Bala IdrisSecretary-General of the Grassroots Mobilisation Network (GMN) stating the priorities for Nigeria's northern region.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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