The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has urged the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) to copy the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and set up a political department to promote Muslims who are into politics.
It should be recalled that the RCCG recently announced the creation of a new department called the Directorate of Politics and Governance.
The church has however released a statement saying the newly created Directorate was established for the “voter education of its members and not to push or support any particular candidate as being insinuated,” but many still feel the Directorate was established to get support for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who according to rumour is nursing the ambition of running for President in 2023, and other politicians who are members of the church.
While latching on the controversy the creation of the political department caused, Tinubu who is vying for the APC presidential ticket in the 2023 election, urged the Sharia Council to also think about establishing such a department to cater for Muslim politicians as well.
Tinubu, who made the appeal during the Annual National Conference and Pre-Ramadan meeting of the SCSN held in Osogbo, Osun State, said the department would be a “good platform for Muslims to support their colleagues vying for political positions.
He was represented at the forum by the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus, the former Lagos State governor, and said since other religions were backing their own, there was the need for Muslims to also back their “brothers vying for political positions in Nigeria.”
He said: “Other religious groups have commenced political sensitization 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.”
