MARK THOSE DIVIDING NIGERIA WITH RELIGION.

By: Charles Ihemegbulem
29-12-19.

“…Ganduje led government is committed towards upholding Islamic values in Kano state”….Harun Ibn-Sina, Commander of Hisbah Board, Kano state, 25th December, 2019.

The above statement came straight out of Harun Ibn-Sina, who officially represented Gov. Abudullahi Ganduje at the closing ceremony of 77th annual Islamic Vacation Course (IVC) organised by Muslim Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Zone A, held at Bayero University, Kano: an event where the ban of persons of opposite genders plying same commercial tricycles across the state was officially announced.

It was official because the annoncer is a government official who represented his principal the governor in the said event. Three days down the line and still counting, the government in no medium has disassociated itself from such statement. And, this declaration will take effect from January, 2020.

When a state government such as Kano comes out publicly without micing word to declare her committement to upholding Islamic values and are right on it with proactive steps, then this nation is heading to doom. Kano is a multi religion, cultural and a commercial city with investors from all over the country and diaspora.

There are people from southern part of Nigeria who are not Muslims resident in kano in millions. There are many northerners even of kano indigeneship who are Christians and other religions who also live in Kano contributing their quota to the development of that state. Does this decision reflect and protect their interest and believe?

Is plying of opposite gender in the same tricycle a crime to humanity? Does it pose security treat? Does it sabotage the economic growth of the state?

Is this law exclusive to just Muslims or are the other religions inclusive? Are husbands and wives excluded? How about brothers and sisters, brethrens, family, friends?

Many Nigerians have left the realm of accusing the administration of hasty and deliberate attempt to islamize Nigeria, they have come to the conclusion that Nigeria has been islamized technically. And with action like this, one cannot believe less. Even Mr President has not demonstrated enough pragmatic leadership to quench this popular opinion. He too has taken steps in this direction.

“As we all know, there are sections of the constitution that allow the implementation of the shariah personal law and apart from that, we cannot do more. However, we have the numbers to amend the constitution to suit our own position as Muslims” – Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.

Imagine the kind of utterance coming out a whole Chief Justice of Nigeria not too long before Ganduje came up with this one.

You cannot be strategically and forcefully imposing your religion and believe on everyone and still be deceiving yourself that Nigeria is an indivisible entity. It is obvious these kind of men who say things with their mouth different from what is their heart can hardly unify this nation.

Recklessness in one state is recklessness in all the states.

Any Muslim especially in the northern part of Nigeria who at this point in time feels cool in the name of gaining ground religiously is in deep state of delusion. Every right thinking Northerner irrespective of religious association cannot afford to accept anything less especially from the governors than solutions to tackling the problems terrorising this region.

What is the drastic actions map out by these governors in the areas of economy, security, poverty alleviation, diseases and illetracy threatening the people? Considering the enormous issues in the north, this is not time to praise this leaders because they paid salary, gave out food items, or help some very tiny few secure job or appeal to your religion sentiments. But unfortunately some people see these things as achievement.

Is not an irony that today, states where consumption of alcohol is tag heavy crime have the highest number of drug addicts? You cannot separate idleness, hopelessness, and unemployment from drugs. Mr Governors, these are the real problems to solve.

Our little girls are defied everyday by those old enough to be their fathers and grandfathers, our women are raped, some have been taken captives as sex toy to terrorists, girls and women have embraced prostitution as a means to feed their homes; all these don’t happen in tricycles. So, these wild goose chase and misplaced priority must stop.

Excuse me, who are we deceiving, man or God? We are in the rulership hands of highly immorality filled leaders in this nation Nigeria, who have concubines in all the major cities both in Nigeria and diaspora, and resources that should have taken thousands of youths off the street have gone down in servicing this structure, yet we see ban of opposite genders from seating together in tricycles service to God. Hypocrisy!

I really don’t care about the religion anyone upholds. But, if it doesn’t translate to love for humanity then it is witchcraft. People are vulnerable, lives and properties are not secured, hunger is terrorizing the masses. Misery, pain and agony reign. Any religion advancement be it Christianity, Islam or any name, that cannot solve these issues should stop bragging of having the capacity to take followers to heaven. Take the people out of oppression as a prove you can take us to heaven. Instead of forcing people to accept to accept our religion and believe why don’t we present them the love of God through Good works and allow them chose the God they want to serve?

In the days to come we Nigerians are looking up to the people of kano to say unanimous NO to this. You cannot eat your cake and have it. Accepting this ban is substituting standard with frivolity. You must speak out if this decision is not in your interest. Let Ganduje address the real issues threatening your livelihood.

Try harder all you men on assignment to tear down Nigeria. Mightier are we that we rebuild it!

charlesihemegbulem@gmail.com

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MARK THOSE DIVIDING NIGERIA WITH RELIGION