By our reporter
The Muslim-Muslim ticket that brought President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima to office in 2023 has failed to yield expected benefits for Muslims.
This was the view of the Supreme Council of Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN).
The assessment came at a time the Caucus of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, who,in accepting the glowing verdict, said he is a happy man now as, according to him, his administration’s policies are working well.
The SCSN, going by literature available on its website, was incorporated in 2005 as a body to promote Islamic solidarity through fostering brotherhood and cooperation among Muslims in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
The body also seeks to promote and uphold the right of Muslims to Shari’ah-compliant laws, policies and programmes.
Its first president was the legendary Islamic scholar, Dr Ibrahim Datti Ahmad (1936-2021).
At a pre-Ramadan Lecture, the current President of SCSN, Sheikh Abdurrasheed Hadiyyatullah, said against the earlier backdrop of a general belief that the Muslim-Muslim ticket would be to the benefit of Muslims, the Tinubu administration had allegedly failed to bring such to pass nor has it addressed what he described as the plight of Muslims in the country.
“Many Muslims are being encouraged to think they have been betrayed to vote for this administration,” he said.
Hadiyyatullah said, irrespective of the situation, the Muslim faithful see the organization and Islamic leaders generally as beacons for guidance and assurances that their faith will not be sacrificed for political opportunism and greed.
“The Umma looks up to us for guidance and assurances that their faith will not be sacrificed on the altar of political opportunism and greed,” he added.
Sheikh Hadiyyatullah called for justice for all communities and groups, particularly frowning at the emerging development in the South-West where, he stated, many Muslims were being suppressed and not allowed to practice Shariah in accordance with constitutional and religious provisions.
“We have seen Nigerians vote for people of the same Islamic faith into the Presidency without turning the country into an unceasing battlefield, but we have not seen justice and equity done to all communities, irrespective of their faith.
“We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the South-West and we advise those who think they can divide the Nigerian Muslim Umma to find other mischief to engage themselves,” he said.
Sheikh Hadiyyatullah warned those in the South-West who have instituted mechanisms to debar Muslims in the region from coexistence with Christian communities there, to desist.
According to the Muslim leader, Muslims in their millions were being politically marginalized in many parts of the country, irrespective of their massive population and in violation of their constitutional rights.
Turning to the country’s economic situation, the SCSN president expressed worry over the deteriorating situation and implored the Federal Government to take urgent remedial actions to bring hope to Nigerians.
Nigeria is better now, brighter days ahead – Tinubu
Nonetheless, at State House, Abuja, the APC Caucus thumbed up President Tinubu for a job well done so far.
Speaking during the Caucus meeting, President Tinubu said he is engulfed by waves of joy because the sad days for Nigerians are gone and bright times beckon.
He said, for instance, insecurity is becoming a thing of the past.
He said: “I’m a very happy man that we called the caucus and you are here. Thank you very much for the vote of confidence which I have received it and it’s very encouraging.
“For me, there is a sunny part of Nigeria that I’m seeing right now. I’m happy that one of the most challenged individuals in terms of security has given a testimony.
“He’s done so much for many of us but to give testimony that the security of lives and properties are getting better from Zamfara, I could see people from Birni Kwari doing their farming and getting their rewards on TV, I’m a very happy man.
“The sunny side of this country is arising and things are getting better and the days of the glooms are gone. We are looking at the brighter and sunny side of our country.”
The meeting which started about 7.20pm on Monday, lasting well into the night, was attended by, aside Tinubu and Shettima, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, and former Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade.
There were also Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun; Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum; Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani; Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto; and Governor of Benue State, Revd. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, among others.
APC South-South leaders at the event included former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipreye Silva.
From the North, leaders available included former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari; former Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al Makura; former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Wammako; Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, and others.
Prominent at the event too were pioneer National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande; Chief Iyiola Omisore; Chief Segun Osoba; Senator Lola Ashiru; and others from the South-West.
