By Ismail Auwal
Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has described the Muslim-Muslim ticket of All Progressives Congress (APC) as deceptive, asserting that religion should not be used as a basis for voting any candidate in the 2023 general elections
He urged Nigerians to come together and do away with ethno-religious politics because all the parties have hurdles to address.
According to the cleric, voters should prioritize a candidate with vast experience who can solve the country’s many problems.
Gumi while speaking in an interview on the forthcoming general election and the state of the nation, said that Nigeria does not need a novice as president, but an experienced politician to lead it in the 2023 general election.
The cleric while speaking on the candidature of Atiku said that there is nothing wrong with politicians contesting elections several times, seeking victory.
On Tinubu who said it is his turn to be President, Sheikh Gumi said, “it is not proper for him to say it is his turn. There is no question to saying it is my turn. Don’t say it is my turn because if people like you they will vote for you. He is a good administrator, he can do it. The Muslim-Muslim ticket is unnecessary.”
Sheikh Gumi warned that if an inexperienced politician is voted into power, he will find it difficult to assemble the best brains within a possible time framework to set the nation working progressively.
Sheikh Gumi noted that it took President Muhammadu Buhari over six months to appoint Ministers and government officials because he (Buhari) was an inexperienced politician.
“Nigeria is now in the 21st century, people are more educated now. What Nigeria needs now are people with competency. We should not be talking about the North because the North is no longer monolithic, we should not be talking about the Southwest because no particular person is in control, and we should not be talking about South East, look at how Senator Ifeanyi Uba was attacked by his own people.
“So let’s talk about Nigeria as one united people. Nobody controls anybody in the country. So let’s move forward. Look at America, nobody is talking about power rotation. Let’s develop a democracy that we can sustain”. He added.
He said social injustice and poverty were responsible for insecurity in the country, adding that seven years into President Buhari’s government, almost every Nigerian is feeling the pains of socio-economic hardship in the country.
