The Choice of Leaders based on Religion. I am just reading The Punch page credited to former President Obasanjo cajoling the opposition party on how to choose their candidates on separate religious platforms, ditto, Muslim/Christian and vice-versa. I used to think that this was the thinking process of a nutcase like Femi Fani-Kayode, who had flown this divisive flag earlier in the year; but now, for an elder stateman as Chief Obasanjo joining the fray, it must be noted and questions asked. We have been too divided on Ethno-tribal lines, despite our high rate of inter-marrying each other and cross-border residencies. To this was added the syndrome of Regionalism by this PDP with their unproductive Zoning concept. A concept that has now gained currency in the pysche of many. To the extent that it is looking as if this warped PDP Zoning formula is akin to the Nigerian Constitution, which it is not ! Must Nigerias leaders do nothing except to look for divisions ? Is Nigeria only belonging to Christians and Muslims ? Are we actually truly living up to the tenets of these two religions of Abrahamic Faiths with their origins in the Middle East, from one Father-of-Faith, Father Abraham ? What of our ancestral religions ? Yes, none of us can claim to have been the originators of these two religions, or are we ? These religions of our ancestors still have their adherents and they are in the millions ! Even at that, majority of so-called Christians and Muslims still follow some ancestral worship; some of them may not know it. And, what is wrong with that, may one ask ? Religion should be the affair of man in their individual capacities. It must not be matter for any third party or the nation. Afterall, this Nigeria claimed to be a secular state. My strong view is this : What is Obasanjo up to again ? Religion was not the reason for our division in Nigeria before now, at least in the choice of political preferences. Tribe was. Now, thank to mischief-making of PDP, once led by him, Obasanjo, both Religion and Region (Zoning) has now crept into our already creaky polity. Cant these people leave Nigeria alone a bit ? What is the religion of a man leading me worth, if he were incompetent, corrupt, uncaring, inefficient and aloof from my problems ? What is religion when bad governance is the norm ? What is religion where men of integrity and probity are thin on the ground ? What is religion to an unemployed youth without a job ? What is religion in the poor infrastructure of a Nigeria that has everything to have the best in Africa, but she is a laggard ? What is religion got to do with lack of security ? How does religion stop oil thefts, kindappings and drug trafficking ? What is.....religion ? Well, if Nigerians failed themselves again this time around they will have to eat their religion. As for me and my household, I do not care what religion my leader and his vice professes to. Just give me a good person man or woman; Christian, Muslim; Jew, Gentile or Sun-worshipper so long he/she has integrity, has brains and balls, honesty of purpose and vision. Just push this laggard of a Nigeria forward, for heavens sake ! I know those who love their leaders being Pilgrims ad infinitum would beg to disagree, however, please remember, folks, Nigeria is not a theocracy, she claims to be a Secular State and that is about the only thing going good for her for now. Leaders like Baba Obasanjo should focus on their private matters in religion and let religion not enter the public fray. This is one new mischief-making of our leaders. One of the greatest philosophers known to mankind, Karl Marx, said it presciently way back in 1844, to wit : Die Religion....ist das Opium des Volkes (in English ...Religion is the opiate of the masses) The masses of Nigeria must and should reject to take this opiate from our leaders. We need jobs, we need development, we need housing, we need food, we need cash in our pockets more than we needed religion. Enough is enough ! And say it loud to them, fellas !!! -Dr. Caxton Fatanmi, 2014
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 10:32:01 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015