Create political dept for Muslims – Tinubu tells Sharia Council

Former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday, called on the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), top create a political department just like the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), to promote Muslims who in politics.

The RCCG, last week, announced the creation of a new department called the Directorate of Politics and Governance.

Though the church had released a statement saying the newly created Directorate was strictly for the “voter education of its members and not to push or support any particular candidate as being insinuated,” many still believed it was created for the sole purpose of garnering support for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is a pastor in the church, who is being rumoured to be gearing up to run for President in 2023, as well as other politicians who are members of the church.

Tinubu who is also 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 made the appeal at the Annual National Conference and Pre-Ramadan meeting of the SCSN held at Osogbo, the Osun State, saying such a department would be a “good platform for Muslims to support their colleagues vying for political positions.

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The APC stalwart who was represented at the forum by the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus, said since other religions were supporting their own, there was the need for Muslims to also support their “brothers vying for political positions in Nigeria.”

“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.

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“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.