The National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has advised the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) to emulate the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and create a political department, which would promote Muslims involved in active politics.
The RCCG recently announced the creation of a new department called the Directorate of Politics and Governance.
Though the Church had said the newly created Directorate is strictly for the “voter education of its members and not to push or support any particular candidate as being insinuated,” not a few persons still believe the Directorate was created to galvanize support for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is being speculated to nurse the ambition of running for President in 2023, as well as other members of the Church seeking elective positions.
However, latching on the furore the creation of the political department caused, Tinubu who is eyeing the APC presidential ticket in the 2023 election, urged the Sharia Council to also consider creating such a department to cater for Muslim politicians as well.
Tinubu, who made the appeal Saturday at the Annual National Conference and Pre-Ramadan meeting of the SCSN held at Osogbo, Osun State, said the proposed department would be a “good platform for Muslims to support their colleagues vying for political positions.
Represented at the forum by the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus, the former governor of Lagos State said since other religions are supporting their own, there is the need for Muslims to also support their “brothers vying for political positions in Nigeria.”
He said: “Other religious groups have commenced political sensitisation by creating political departments or directorate among themselves to promote their own,” Tinubu said, in apparent reference to the RCCG Directorate of Politics.
“You should create a political wing among yourself so that it will further gear your participation in politics. It will be a good platform to support your brothers who are vying for political positions.
“There is a need for us to act toward our prayers, the emergence of a good leader, but we need to partake in political activities.
“Almighty Allah answers our prayer through our actions, so while praying let us act towards it,” the APC leader added.
– Media Report