Muslim-Muslim Ticket Yet to Change Muslims’ Plight – Shari’ah Council
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has expressed dissatisfaction with the impact of the 2023 elections, particularly the Muslim-Muslim ticket involving President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. The council, which plays a significant role in the Muslim community in Nigeria, has voiced its concerns, arguing that the Muslim-Muslim ticket has not provided the expected benefits for the Muslim community in the country. Despite the unity demonstrated in electing Muslim candidates into the highest offices in the land, the challenges facing Muslims in Nigeria remain largely unresolved, according to the council.
Speaking at a Pre-Ramadan lecture, the President of the SCSN, Sheikh Abdurrasheed Hadiyyatullah, shared his views on the matter. In his statement, he noted that while Nigerians have voted for individuals of the same Islamic faith into the Presidency in previous elections without causing significant national unrest, the anticipated improvements for Muslims, in terms of justice, equity, and political representation, have yet to materialize.
Sheikh Hadiyyatullah pointed out that despite the large Muslim population in Nigeria, many Muslims continue to face political marginalization. He emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution, which calls for justice and fairness, is not being fully adhered to, particularly when it comes to ensuring equal treatment for Muslims. The council has repeatedly called for justice and equity for all religious groups, yet, according to the SCSN, Muslims remain marginalized politically in various regions of the country.
“Millions of Muslims are politically marginalized in many parts of the country, despite their numbers and the constitutional demands for justice. We see a nation growing indifferent over Muslim grievances,” said Sheikh Hadiyyatullah.
This political marginalization is not a new phenomenon; rather, it is a longstanding issue that continues to affect the lives of many Muslims, especially in regions where they are in the minority. Despite the promise of a Muslim-Muslim ticket bringing better representation for Muslims, the council claims that the situation has not changed, and Muslims still face discrimination in key political spaces.
Furthermore, Sheikh Hadiyyatullah also expressed concern about the growing attempts to undermine the rights of South West Muslims. The region, which has a large Muslim population, has seen political moves that threaten the ability of Muslims to organize and advocate for their rights. Sheikh Hadiyyatullah criticized these efforts, calling them an alarming attempt to deprive Muslims in the South West of their ability to form legitimate groups aimed at improving their living conditions and relationships with fellow Christians in the region.
“We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the South West,” said Hadiyyatullah. “We advise those who think they can divide the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to find other mischief to engage themselves.”
The statement highlights the deep divisions within Nigerian society and the concerns that certain political groups may attempt to exacerbate these divisions to undermine the unity of the Muslim community. For Sheikh Hadiyyatullah, the strength of the Ummah lies in its unity, and any attempt to weaken it for political gain would be detrimental to the well-being of all Muslims in the country.
In his speech, Sheikh Hadiyyatullah acknowledged that there is a growing sense of betrayal among many Muslims who feel that they were misled into supporting the current administration, believing that it would improve their situation. Many Muslims, according to the SCSN, have been led to believe that voting for a Muslim-Muslim ticket would result in better political representation and improved living conditions. However, the reality has been far different, and many are now expressing their disillusionment.
“The Ummah looks up to us for guidance and assurances that their faith will not be sacrificed on the altar of political opportunism and greed,” Sheikh Hadiyyatullah noted. This statement captures the frustration that many Muslims feel regarding the promises made during the election campaigns and the lack of fulfillment of those promises.
The SCSN believes that the Muslim community in Nigeria has been caught in a political game where the interests of the people are sacrificed for political opportunism. The leadership of the council is calling for a more honest and accountable approach to governance, one that does not use the Muslim community as a mere tool for political gain.
Beyond the political concerns, Sheikh Hadiyyatullah also highlighted the growing economic hardship faced by Nigerians under the current administration. He pointed out that the country is experiencing severe economic challenges, which have been exacerbated by some of the government’s recent policies. In particular, the removal of fuel subsidies has led to a significant rise in the cost of living, with essentials such as food, transportation, and other goods becoming increasingly unaffordable for the average Nigerian.
“The removal of fuel subsidies has led to soaring costs of living, with food, transportation, and essential goods becoming increasingly unaffordable,” Hadiyyatullah said. This observation reflects the harsh economic realities that millions of Nigerians are facing daily, particularly those in the lower-income brackets. The removal of subsidies on fuel, which was meant to reduce government spending, has had a disproportionate impact on the poor, leading to widespread discontent.
In addition to the removal of subsidies, Sheikh Hadiyyatullah also criticized the government for introducing multiple new taxes and tariffs within a short period. These include significant increases in telecommunications tariffs (by 50%), the introduction of FOB charges (4% on imports), NPA tariffs (15%), ATM charges (100%), and proposed hikes in electricity tariffs. These measures have placed additional burdens on Nigerians who are already struggling with high inflation and limited access to basic services.
“These new taxes and tariffs are causing further strain on Nigerians who are already struggling to make ends meet. The government’s response to the economic crisis has only made things worse,” said Sheikh Hadiyyatullah. The SCSN has continuously advised the government to adopt more comprehensive and effective policies that would address the economic hardships faced by the people, but the council remains concerned that these issues are not being given the attention they deserve.
Sheikh Hadiyyatullah’s statements serve as a call for better governance and a more inclusive approach to addressing the challenges faced by Muslims and Nigerians as a whole. While the Muslim-Muslim ticket of 2023 was seen by many as an opportunity for Muslims to gain more political power, the SCSN has made it clear that political representation alone is not enough. The real test of governance is whether the needs of the people, particularly marginalized groups, are being addressed.
The council is urging the Nigerian government to do more to address the grievances of Muslims and other marginalized communities in the country. There is a need for policies that promote equity, justice, and fairness, ensuring that all Nigerians, regardless of their faith or ethnicity, have equal access to opportunities and resources.
For the SCSN, the pursuit of political power should not come at the expense of the welfare of the people. The council believes that the Muslim community in Nigeria deserves better than mere political promises – it deserves tangible improvements in living conditions, political representation, and social justice.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with political and economic challenges, the voices of groups like the SCSN will remain crucial in holding the government accountable and ensuring that the interests of all Nigerians, including Muslims, are adequately represented and protected. The SCSN’s stance is a reminder that political leadership must be aligned with the needs of the people, and that the pursuit of political power should never overshadow the pursuit of justice and equity for all citizens.
