A development consultant and political economist, Dr. Omano Edigheli, said Nigerians must shun ethnic and religious sentiments for patriotism, honesty and competence as they choose the next President in 2015.
In an article that has gone viral on social media, Edigheli argued that the modest achievements recorded in the history of the country were not championed by “Christian or Muslim presidents” but individual leaders who were determined to bring a positive change to the society.
He said, “Since independence the political class has exploited religion and ethnicity to further their interests – those that have private jets and stolen our oil money do not belong to one religion. None of the two dominant religions has a monopoly of political leaders who are bad or good.
“Since independence, both Christianity and Islam have had their shares of adherents who were bad or good heads of state. They raped and presided over the collapse of the country. Heads of states who professed either of these religions are culpable for the underdevelopment, pervasive corruption and criminality that characterised Nigeria.
“Nigerians, both Muslims and Christians, from the North and South, have been impoverished because of the mismanagement and looting of our commonwealth. The little progress in the country is equally attributable to heads of states/presidents who happened to be either Christians or Muslims. But they did not do so in furtherance of their religion but in line with their oaths of office to work for Nigeria’s progress and prosperity.”
The developmental expert noted that late Obafemi Awolowo and other reputable leaders of his time achieved greatness, not because they were Muslims or Christians, but because they were committed to public welfare and social justice.
Few months to the general elections, he lamented, politicians have resorted to religion and ethnicity to divert attention from the larger issue – those who have the capacity and courage to tackle the national challenges to improve the lot of an average Nigerian.
When there is good leadership, he noted, adherents of all faiths enjoy the benefits like in the case of the war against the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease.
He also pointed the free education that was made possible by Awolowo as an example of how good leadership could change, without discrimination, the fate of the entire society. With these in mind, he warned, Nigerians should look beyond Christianity and Islam during the 2015 elections.
“Nigerians do not need a Christian or Muslim president, neither a Southern nor Northern president. Nigerians do not need an Igbo, Ijaw, Tiv, or Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani or any other ethnic president. They do not need a religious and ethnic president, but Nigerians need a president and vice president who are patriots and nationalistic, and who will rise above ethnic, religious and regional interests,” he suggested.
The article – titled ‘the president Nigerians need in 2015’ – has received followership on the Facebook. Ejeagbasi Paulinus said those who choose to campaign on the basis of religion and ethnicity could only deceive their families. He insisted that such unpopular and orthodox strategies were bandied by aspirants who lack substance.
Another, Aondona Suleiman, called for a support for the change the country dearly needs. Having travelled on a tortuous road, he said, Nigerians could not afford to throw away their votes in coming elections.
Still on the platform, Adamu Abdul appealed to the youth, who, he said, must rally for a noble cause in spite of their religious differences.
Tajudeen Lawal added that those who clung to religion and ethnicity either lacked ideas or needed a cover for their shortcomings.
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