The speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has urged Nigerians to elect leaders based on competence rather than dwelling on the religious bias for the 2023 presidential elections.

Mr Obasa spoke at the 14th annual Hijrah lecture organised by the Lagos assembly’s Muslim community at the assembly complex on Wednesday.

Speaking on the theme, “The Role of Religious Leaders in a Democratic State,” Mr Obasa said Nigeria was in a critical state; therefore, the focus should be on the good intentions of the contestants.

“Let us not allow politicians to bamboozle us with religion as a determining factor for who we will choose as our leader.

“Therefore, at this time when Nigeria stands at its most critical juncture in history regarding the 2023 general elections, there is a crucial call for religious bodies to deploy their collective spiritual energies in not only undermining the negative forces of nepotism and dysfunctionality but in positively enhancing the development of Nigeria,” the speaker said.

He maintained that as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria, being a secular state, there was no provision for the elevation of a particular form of religion over another.

“In some states of the country where either a Muslim or Christian had been in charge without any meaningful performance or development,  this invariably translates to the fact that religious faith does not determine the success of a given government at whichever level.”

The speaker said instead, a competent, qualified, accomplished, and knowledgeable individual, irrespective of the religious background, should be their focus.

Mr Obasa said all over the world where democracy was practised, it had been established that their religions did not determine good governance.

“In countries like the democratic states in Asia and some other parts of the world where neither Islam nor Christianity is practised,  it is gratifying to note that good governance is seen all around them.

“There is no doubt that Nigeria is at a precarious phase in its existence as a nation. These are indeed trying times for Nigeria and Nigerians.

“My opinion is we should focus more on how the failure of politics and faith has compromised the unravelling of the Nigerian project.”

An Islamic cleric, Ishaq Sunuusi, a guest speaker at the event, said Islam was about peace, love, compassion, understanding and justice.

Mr Sunuusi, who condemned those against the All Progressives Congress (APC) Muslim-Muslim ticket for the presidential election, said Nigerians should avoid provocative statements and promote peace.

(NAN)