Elder statesman and leader of the Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum (SMBLF), Chief Edwin Clark, has condemned the statement attributed to former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai on his assertion about the aim of Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, noting that the 10th Senate should elect a Christian president.
In an open letter to senators-elect of the 10th national assembly on Friday, he also warned that the race for the principal positions in the legislature was heating up the polity.
The leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) pointed out the fragile nature of the unity of the country and urged the lawmakers to handle it with care.
Clark recalled the decision of President Bola Tinubu to step aside from becoming the running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2014 because of the potential for a Muslim-Muslim presidency and wondered what has changed now.
He wrote: “The tension over who occupies what position in the 10th Senate is overheating our polity and hurting the fragile peace and unity we are currently having in our beloved country.
“Let us not make pretensions of the fact that our dear country has never experienced the sort of division that has pervaded us in the past eight years.
“It is, in your hands, to handle this fragility with utmost care; it is your duty as the legislative arm of government to produce, during your term, a united country where the citizens genuinely trust one another, regard themselves as equal citizens, and as brothers and sisters.
“Our division is hindering us from taking our pride of place both in the African continent and globally.
“It is time to heal our land, and in so doing, what I expect of the 10th Senate is to give the position of Senate President to a Christian Senator from the southern part of the country. It is only fair, equitable, and just, to do so.
“We have Their Excellencies, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shetima as President and Vice President of the country, respectively. Both of them are Muslims. The Chief Justice of the Federation, Olukayode Ariwoola, is a Muslim.
Making a Muslim the Senate President will be unacceptable to any discerning mind that thinks well of this country. As it will mean that the three arms of government are all headed by Muslims. It is also to be noted that the person tipped to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives is equally a Muslim.
“Nigerians and indeed those agitating for this unequal and unjust treatment to be meted on Christians should remember what happened in 2014.
“Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu was to be the running mate to General Muhammadu Buhari, rtd, under the ticket of the All-Progressives Congress (APC). It was the same party leaders who objected to this arrangement on the grounds that a Muslim-Muslim ticket is not suitable for Nigeria. Sen.
“Tinubu listened to the voice of reasoning and nominated Prof Yemi Osinbajo for the position of Vice President. What has changed now?
“The insensitive, irresponsible, uncouth, and arrogant statement credited to Nasir El-Rufai, on his plan to impose the Islamic religion on the country, lasting for the next 20 years, is still causing bad blood.
“It is unthinkable how someone who describes himself as a leader could utter such statements, except to cause confusion, which is very obvious that he benefits from such confusion. Because there is no other way of explaining such crass behaviour and statement.
“It is a shame and embarrassment that El-Rufai, who has been in government since 1999 and has served with President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government, should commit such a seditious act that could incite violence and tear the country apart.
“What else is a treasonable felony? What is the difference between the action of El-Rufai, and the offence that Nnamdi Kalu is accused of?
“El-Rufai is hereby reminded of Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Prohibition of State Religion, which says, ‘The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion.’
“He should also be reminded that it is because of the fact that Nigeria is a secular State with ethnic diversity that the Federal Character principle is enshrined in our laws for equity, justice, and inclusivity.
“Once again, I appeal to the 10th Senate that as they chose their leaders, to be directed by a true sense of reasoning. The position should be given to a Christian Southerner.
“I appeal to the northerners to look into their stand again. The Muslims need the Christians, and the Christians need the Muslims. No one group should think that they can do it alone.
“Let us pray for a country where everybody and persons of all groups are equal and positions evenly distributed.”
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