The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has expressed their concerns in Nigeria, saying despite the Muslim-Muslim ticket at the Presidency since the 2023 presidential election that brought in President Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima, Muslims have been politically marginalised.

The Council noted that despite the general belief that the ticket would favour the Muslim community more, the reverse is the case, as millions of Muslims are politically marginalised under the current administration.

In his remarks on Monday at the Pre-Ramadan Lecture, SCSN President Sheikh Abdurrasheed Hadiyyatullah reminded the federal government that the country’s socioeconomic hardship was becoming unbearable and urged a solution be proffered without further delay.

“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. Millions of Muslims are politically marginalised in many

parts of the country despite their numbers and the constitutional demands for justice, and we see a nation growing in indifference over Muslim grievances. As we speak, we are witnessing an alarming and crude attempt to muscle South West Muslims out of their rights to organise legitimate mechanisms that will assist them in improving how they live with fellow Christians as members of families and communities.

“A fair assessment of the journey so far will recognise that we succeeded in achieving some of our goals and have failed to achieve others. We have demonstrated the power of faith in our search for good leaders, although we are yet to see this reflected as much as we had hoped in the form of

improved levels of integrity at all levels; a fairer economic system which rewards hard work and protects the poor from increasing pauperisation; and a safer environment where the life and property of the citizen are protected as is demanded by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and our Constitution”.

He said the SCSN stands in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in the South West and advises those who think they can divide the Nigerian Muslim Umma to find other mischief to engage themselves.

“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. Many Muslims are being encouraged to think they have been betrayed to vote for this administration. Our task is to assure them that our intentions and goals were honest and that we were products of deep faith and fear of the punishment of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.

“We must demonstrate beyond all doubt that no understanding exists between us or any administration that injustice, indifference and insensitivity to avoidable hardship will be tolerated.

We must live above board, elevating Islam’s intrinsic value to the point that it distinguishes between good and bad leaders, between an informed citizenry and a gullible population, between a clergy that serves and fears only Allah and one that serves the leaders of the day.

“We must remain steadfast in our pursuit of justice for the Muslim and the non-Muslim because this is our fundamental responsibility and the only basis for peace in our country. Remember and respect its most profound values as we prepare for the Holy Month of Ramadan.

“The unity of the Umma should not be sacrificed, and, as we are aware, the disunity of the Umma is most threatened when the Ulama become agents of division and friction between Muslims. As Muslims, we are facing cynical attempts to distance us from each other to weaken us further.

“We have survived many of these attempts, but more will be made. We can create a solid and united Nigerian Muslim community, but we must resist threats from partisan politics, corruption and the weaknesses of our political processes. We should remain alert and admit genuine mistakes, and correct them. Insisting that the Muslim community in Nigeria has a right and a duty to organise itself and compete for its interests, however, is not, and cannot be a mistake.

“We shall closely watch all political processes and stand for what we believe is in the best interests of all Nigerian Muslims. To be effective in doing this, every Muslim who has or wishes to take responsibility or obligation to influence the decisions of Muslims must be pre-eminently knowledgeable, honest and courageous enough to put these values at the disposal of the Ummah”. He said.

The Shari’ah Council frowned at the socioeconomic situation in the country, saying, “Nigerians are experiencing severe economic hardship, exacerbated by some government policies. The removal of fuel subsidies has led to soaring costs of living, with food, transportation, and essential goods becoming increasingly

unaffordable.

“The depreciation of the Naira, high inflation, and stagnant wages have further eroded purchasing power. The Council has consistently advised the administration to adopt policies to address the hardship. However, it is alarming that, within a short period, the government has introduced multiple new taxes and tariffs, including increased telecommunications tariffs (50%), FOB charges (4% of imports), NPA tariffs (15%), ATM charges (100%), and additional proposed electricity tariff hikes. The Council remains steadfast in advocating for easing the draconian policies to protect the interests of the poor.

The Council said, “For over two decades, the Council has played a pivotal role in addressing insecurity and ethno-religious crises in Nigeria. It has engaged major national security stakeholders, the security and intelligence community, and other strategic actors in the last year. These engagements contributed to the formulation and

implementation of a one-year non-kinetic strategy to address insecurity, especially banditry.

However, despite some progress, the Council is deeply concerned by recent developments, especially revelations that government-owned weapons have fallen into criminal hands and the Auditor-General’s report to the Senate on the disappearance of 3,907 rifles from the police armoury, with no consequences. These developments require urgent and decisive action by the government. ”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, Speaking to newsmen on the sideline of the pre-Ramadan lecture, said the country is progressing in addressing insecurity, stressing that the government is committed to providing security at all levels.

The SCSN President added, “The Supreme Council for Shari’ah has been a longstanding partner in the progress and development of our nation. For over two decades, the Council has

actively contributed to Nigeria’s political and socio-economic development, with the unity of the Ummah as the cornerstone of our efforts.

As a religious body, one of its core objectives is the realisation of a prosperous Ummah and an economically, socially, educationally, and politically viable country. Despite our nation’s formidable challenges, we remain steadfast in contributing to its success. ”

The Director General of the Confederation of APC Support Groups, Professor Kailani Muhammad, has called on former military ruler General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) to reveal the full truth about the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, which was won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday night, Professor Muhammad stated that Babangida’s recent claims regarding the annulment of the election were an attempt to shift responsibility onto the late General Sani Abacha.

According to him, Babangida’s actions plunged Nigeria into its current economic and political difficulties.

“Babangida’s deliberate misdeeds and misconceptions are what pushed Nigeria into its present comatose state.

He singlehandedly devalued the Naira through the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), despite warnings from economic experts,” Muhammad said.

He further alleged that Babangida squandered Nigeria’s wealth, using state funds to secure the loyalty of military officers and traditional rulers.

Professor Muhammad also criticised Babangida’s recent remarks on Nigeria’s civil war, where he suggested that the Yoruba played a key role in fuelling the conflict, rather than the Igbo.

“This has raised tensions across the country. While the Igbo have been alleged to be seeking compensation and an apology from the Federal Government, Babangida’s comments have only stirred unnecessary controversy,” he said.

He warned that elder statesmen must be careful with their public statements, as they could incite division within the country.

Shifting focus to governance, Muhammad criticised Nigerian states for their over dependence on federal allocations

He urged state governors to explore agriculture and mineral resources to drive economic growth.

“State governors need to think outside the box and focus on productivity and creativity for sustainable development,” he advised.

Speaking on local government autonomy, Muhammad expressed disappointment that the Supreme Court’s ruling on financial independence for local councils had not been fully implemented.

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that his administration upholds local government financial autonomy as a key reform initiative.

“The excuses from state governors about bureaucracy are not encouraging.

The President must stand firm in his commitment to local government financial independence,” he concluded.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has described the inauguration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the 7th Governor of Ondo State as the beginning of a new era of progress and development in the State. She stated that his leadership promises stability, economic growth, and improved social welfare for the people of Ondo State.

Orelope-Adefulire, noted that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration will build on past achievements while introducing innovative policies to enhance governance, security, and development for the benefit of all citizens.

She made these remarks in her congratulatory message to the newly sworn-in governor, affirming that his tenure holds great promise for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the state. She highlighted his commitment to inclusive governance, security, and infrastructural growth as key pillars that will shape Ondo State’s future.

“We are encouraged by your dedication to humanitarian services and development, which aligns seamlessly with the objectives of the SDGs. Your leadership will play a crucial role in fostering peace, prosperity, and resilience within our communities,” Orelope-Adefulire stated.

She also commended the governor’s resolve to strengthen security, emphasizing its impact on ensuring stability across the state and reaffirmed the commitment of OSSAP-SDGs to working closely with the Ondo State government to implement policies and programs that will drive social and economic transformation.

“With a vision centered on sustainable development, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration is poised to champion key reforms that will empower citizens, create opportunities, and position Ondo State as a model for progress and innovation. His governance, backed by strategic partnerships, is expected to accelerate Ondo State’s contribution to Nigeria’s overall SDGs agenda, ensuring a future of shared prosperity and development,” she added.

Signed:
DESMOND UTOMWEN
SA Media