Cleric Urges Political Parties to Avoid Same-Faith Governorship Tickets in Diverse States
A Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Haliru Maraya, has appealed to political parties to avoid fielding governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the same faith in religiously diverse states ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in Kaduna, Maraya said states with mixed religious populations should adopt leadership arrangements that reflect their diversity to promote unity, fairness, and peaceful coexistence.
He noted that Kaduna maintained a tradition of pairing governors and their deputies from different religious backgrounds between 1999 and 2019, describing the approach as one that strengthened inclusion and gave all communities a sense of belonging.
According to the cleric, previous administrations in the state demonstrated that balanced leadership could coexist with development, citing improvements in infrastructure and public services during those years.
Maraya expressed concern over the adoption of a same-faith governorship ticket by the immediate past administration, arguing that many residents viewed the arrangement as inconsistent with the principles of equity and equal representation.
He urged political parties to ensure that governorship candidates and their running mates in religiously diverse states come from different faiths, saying such a move would foster public trust, strengthen social harmony, and encourage broader participation in governance.
The cleric also encouraged other heterogeneous states, including Plateau, to adopt similar leadership models, adding that both Islam and Christianity promote justice, peace, and fairness.
Quoting Islamic scholar Ibn Taymiyyah, Maraya stressed that justice remains the foundation of good governance regardless of the religious background of leaders.
He further pointed to states such as Nasarawa and Taraba, where governors and their deputies are of different faiths, saying the arrangement has helped promote inclusion and peaceful coexistence.
Maraya concluded by urging political leaders to place fairness, justice, and national unity above political interests as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
#UTVAfrica#
