Kaduna: Islamic Cleric Advises APC, Other Parties Against Same-Faith Ticket

A Kaduna-based Islamic cleric and special adviser to ex-governor Ramalan Yero on Islamic Matters, Sheikh Haliru Maraya, has advised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition parties not to go with the same faith candidates for governorship and deputy ticket in the 2027 general elections.

Maraya, who was also special adviser to the late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa on Islamic Matters, lamented that former Governor Nasir el-Rufai introduced the same-faith ticket with the governor and deputy being Muslims, explaining that it does not go down well with many residents who believed in equity and fairness in handling issues in the state.

The Islamic cleric who stated this while speaking with journalists in Kaduna, maintained that due to the nature of Kaduna State, politicians should create a room to carry all along in the scheme of things to ensure peace and unity among the diverse religious and ethnic groups.

Maraya said, “Since 1999, Kaduna State has always produced candidates with different religious beliefs. That display of justice has gone a long way to ensure togetherness and a sense of belonging , in the state , to the extent that no section or religion has felt neglected in the affairs of the state.”

He explained that, “One discovered that during the reigns of former governors Ahmed Mohamed Makarfi, Namadi Sambo, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and Ramadan Yero the deputy governors were of different religions from the aforementioned governors. Consequent upon the spirit of that justice , everyone knows that things , during the tenures of the aforementioned governors, were done in an orderly manner with everyone having a sense of belonging.”

Maraya said during their tenures Kaduna State experienced tremendous transformation in the provision of social amenities including rural roads and the provision of infrastructure in most of the local government areas in the state.

Maraya added that for equity and fairness , political parties should ensure they fill candidates for the governor and deputy of different religious beliefs to ensure a sense of belonging to the followers of the two major religions in the state.

“This will go a long way to unite us together and ensure equal representation in the act of governance in the state. The two major religions have a great number of followers in the state. Hence , things should be done to carry all along so that together we achieve peace, unity and progress in whatever things we plan to do as a people,” he opined.

According to him, a state like Plateau State should in years to come also do likewise in order to enhance conducive atmosphere and peaceful coexistence among the diverse religious groups in the state.

Maraya said, “The two religions preach peace, peace should be seen to be a vocal point in all that we do in all spheres of life for the overall progress and development of our society. What is good for the followers of one religion should be extended to the other because we are all human beings with the same feelings and desire good things for ourselves.” he said.

“The display of justice, right from the formation of a government, is what makes the government to attract the help and support of the Almighty Allah to it .

“The political class aspiring to be the governors of heterogeneous states like Kaduna and Plateau States should emulate the composition of the governments of Nasarawa and Taraba States where the governors and their deputies are of different faiths . This display of justice has indeed promoted unity and peaceful coexistence in the aforementioned states” Maraya stated.