Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III has expressed fears over the future of Nigeria’s election looking at what transpired before, during and after the 2019 general elections.
The monarch who spoke during the weekend at the 2019 General Assembly of the Da’awah Coordination Council of Nigeria (DCCN) held at the Sultan Palace, Sokoto, expressed worry that Nigerians has become more divided politically ahead of the next general elections in 2023.
Sultan who premised his fears on the fact that the just concluded elections witnessed very disturbing trend where even religious leaders were seen openly pitching tent with candidates when they should be seen as neutral. He said;
“If Nigeria has these troubles in 2019 then, I have my fears over 2023. The signs are already on ground.
“Brothers no longer talk to each other. Friends are now divided in a very terrible way because they have been insulting one another before the election. Neighbours now hate each other because they belong to different political parties,”
The religious leader said despite the contest was between two Muslims who were the candidates of the two major political parties, some respected Muslim and Christian clerics turned their worship places to an avenue of campaign for either of the two candidates.
He stressed:
“We that are religious leaders, have to be careful of what we tell our followers because most of them are not educated and will take whatever you say as true.
“I have been an observer of the election over the years and have never declared support for any candidate. As a religious leader, I have never asked Imams or Muslims preachers to preach against anybody or in support of any as well,” he asserted
“Prior to 2019, you have heard and seen the Muslims and Christians leaders preaching things that you find it difficult to respond to.
“We should ask ourselves why have things changed that way? Is it because of the greed of our religious leaders who collect monies to preach their support for a particular candidate? Let’s try to discourage that, because the religion preaches love for all.
“2019 election has come and gone. Though there are court issues here and there but let us begin to plan ahead of 2023 on how to ensure that we have leaders that are our choice and not those that are forced on people.
“So let’s begin to plan on how to ensure peace and peaceful coexistence before, during and after the general elections.
“Let’s work towards peace and having a society where everybody is free to coexist in peace. Let start working on our challenges from now by trying to collectively decide to do what is right,”
the royal father added.