2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? The race for Alausa is attracting attention, except that this time, it has taken a religious dimension. But I consider the present call by some Christians for a Christian governor strange and unprecedented. It is strange because it is curious that some so-called Christians in the state would seek to campaign for a Christian governor as if it is the sole determinant of good leadership. It is also unprecedented because this is the first time an attempt will be made by a religious body to consciously campaign that a governor emerges from their faith. The clamour first began not too long ago. It was brought into the public space by the Director of Civic and Political Affairs of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland of the Anglican Communion, Venerable Folarin Shobo, who asked Lagos residents to vote in a Christian as governor in 2015. Shobo said it was time for power to shift in the state. According to him, Lagos residents cannot afford to continue with the present political arrangement whereby political officers were largely people of a particular faith. The cleric urged Christians in the state to change the political status quo. He said, It is not fair to have a government that is largely tilted to people of a particular religion. Christians over the years have been magnanimous enough. We have worked for people who are not of our faith and we have supported them to be in government. It is now time for us to come out and take the bull by the horns. He reportedly lamented the situation where none of the five people being tipped to succeed Fashola come 2015 is a Christian. Asking for a Christian governor in Lagos State at this time is not out of place. It is long overdue and it is time we began to do something about it, Shobos position was re-echoed at another forum by a group called the Men Missions Union of New Jerusalem-City Baptist Church, Ejigbo, at a breakfast session with the Chairman of the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Kehinde Bamigbetan, on the theme: Christians and Politics: A Personal Reflection. Bamigbetan debunked the allegation that neither the party nor its leaders is consciously sponsoring Muslim candidates. Then enter the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria Lagos branch. In a statement titled, The Church and Governance of Lagos State, Its chairman, one Apostle Alex Bamgbala, said Christians have supported the two Muslim administrations in the state since 1999 and it is only fair that they give room for their Christian counterparts to be elected in 2015. As the race for the Lagos top job gathers momentum, I am sure it will not be long before other Christians join this annoying and bizarre campaign. My take on this is simple. I consider the reason behind the Christian-for-governor disgraceful and odious. The campaign by these so-called Christian leaders is also dangerous, diversionary, hypocritical and inimical to peaceful co-existence of the states residents. It detracts from the real issues of governance. And there lies our problem as a country. I am a Christian and if you ask me, I do not give a hoot about the religion of the next governor. Neither has religion determined who gets my vote. Not in past elections and not in the future. For all I care, the next governor can be a traditionalist or even an atheist. What is important to me and for all residents is performance and pedigree. The position of the so-called Christians is immoral to me, and reprehensible at best. It is curious that they have chosen this time for their divisive and unpatriotic campaign. One would expect them to demand good government no matter who will rule Lagos. What Lagos needs is good governance. Lagos residents want improvement in all aspects of their lives. They want better inner city roads, effective transport services, good schools, improved health care services, more independent power projects and security of lives and property. So, what has religion got to do with these? Lagos needs the best man for the job. There are those who have applauded Fasholas performance so far. Never for once has his religion been in contention. What these masquerading as religious leaders have failed to tell us is how Fasholas performance have impacted on Muslim alone. What they have also failed to tell us is what other leadership qualities a Christian governor must possess other than just being a Christian. For them, Lagos needs a Christian governor even if the would-be candidate lacks the qualities. This attitude should be condemned by all Lagos residents. This is a dangerous trend that must not be allowed in a democracy. Not the least an enlightened state like Lagos. It is either they are acting in ignorance of the ignominious role religion can play in our national life or are being mischievous. Have they even forgotten that a political party has its own structure? Are they now saying that even when a candidate, who is Muslim emerges, he should be dropped for a Christian who is not in the ballot or who did not have the required number of votes to stand election? Christian leaders should be conscious of the role they play in the society. They should avoid stoking the embers of religious hatred by playing up one religion against the other. Playing on mass hysteria will further widen the schism that is threatening to tear us apart as a nation. They should encourage leaders to deliver on their electoral promises. A Christian governor is not a guarantee for good governance. This campaign is nonsensical and must stop
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 11:01:47 +0000