Lalong and the politicization of religion in Nigeria.
By: Sani Danaudi Mohammed
AREWA AGENDA – Religion and politics are interrelated, chained together to provide us with a peaceful Society. Religion mobilizes the religious sensibilities of people to get their support to capture power, while politics uses intrigue, and diplomacy and makes attempt to win public opinion either democratically, if the system allows it, or usurps power with the help of the army if the society is under-developed and backward.
Karl Marx, one of the greatest Philosophers that ever live in this world once said during his lifetime that “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people. The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness. It is against this background that religion has instead been a unifying factor, It is becoming a business of weak-minded who used it to acquire wealth and power as well as influence Government decisions.
The sad reality is that these narratives have deepened hatred and have done more damage to our collective agreement of 1914 amalgamated southern and Northern Protectorates called Nigeria. The emergence of religious associations has caused those in Government sleepless nights through their consistent Press Conferences against Government decisions even when such policies are of the overall interest of the masses. We must look beyond the religious and tribal identities to build solid foundations and bedrock for one indivisible Nigeria where everyone will cut according to his needs and eat according to his wants.
The politicians have cashed in causing the entire country sleepless nights. Governor Nasir El-rufai’s name dominated the Newspapers’ Headlines when he nominated Hadiza Sabuwa Balaraba as his running mate in 2019, We may disagree with him in some areas but must acknowledge the fact that his choice of words regarding politics and religion in Nigeria is healing. He said the Government House is not a place of worship but rather where decisions of Government are taken in the overall interest of the people of Kaduna State.
However, Islam as a religion encourages active participation in politics and respect for the constituted authorities, Christianity as a religion also emphasis the need for the people to respect the constituted authorities of Government and a symbol of authority to drive policy. Politics is addressed directly or indirectly in several parts of the Bible. Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 say that all should follow the authority of government, as government authority is instituted by the authority of God. Titus 3 discourages argument regarding the law.
The recent development and heated arguments by our brethren in the neighbouring State of Plateau concerning the efforts of His Excellency Rt Hon Simon Lalong to sign a Memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Jaiz Bank, An interest-free Islamic Banking is worrisome. Jos Main Market, The largest indoor market in the West was brought down over 20 years ago and Governor Lalong intention to reconstruct the market is now facing resistance from the citizens citing both political and religion as reasons.No doubt, Governor Lalong inherited State that has been in the frontline of conflicts that or ethnic and religious dimensions of which he is ably stabilised and curtailed to a bearest minimum. His ability to bring back Plateau to its glorious days earned him the current National and international reputations as a symbol of Peace.
Although secularism is proceeding rapidly in many of the world’s societies, and although this trend seems connected in some way to the process of economic development, nevertheless religion continues to be an important political phenomenon throughout the world and Nigeria in Particular for multiple reasons. Rebuilding the Jos Main Market if achieved will bring back among other things the lost glory of the State of Plateau by reconnecting it to other States of the Federation and the neighbouring countries economically.
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Jaiz Bank is not an Islamic organisation but a financial institution licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria and interestingly this laudable initiative was initiated under the regime of Former President Obasanjo and then Governor of the apex Bank now Executive Governor of Anambra State Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. religion should be a Subject of interest nor priority when designing economic policies, The guiding principles should be whether or not it is good for Nigeria. Both Obasanjo and Soludo are Christians from the Southern part of the country but guided by wisdom and economic expert that Jaiz Bank will indeed add value to the Nigerian economy and they subscribed to it. These how wold economies prosper.
In ten years, the bank has drawn its balance sheet from 12 billion naira at inception to 300 billion naira today. It is a quoted public company owned by over 26,000 shareholders spread over the six geo-political zones of Nigeria and has grown its branches from three to forty-five. It began with corporate offerings but diversified into the micro, small and medium enterprises space and now has provided insurance to cover individuals. It is a non-discriminatory financial institution whose customers are from diverse backgrounds. The only difference between Jaiz Bank and other conventional banks is that in conventional banks, you can be given cheques to withdraw money. While in Jaiz, you have to show what the money will be spent on. If you have a business idea, they can finance it.
Non-interest banking is a growing global phenomenon practiced in nearly 80 countries across the world: United Kingdom, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, China, Singapore, South Africa, Kenya and other countries. It is open to all irrespective of race or religion based on the ethical principles of fairness, transparency and objectivity. Even for loans, they take commercial and financial risks and share them with the customers. The Bank has delivered more than 3000 houses with its partners in Nigeria, channelled 75 billion into Agriculture and has distributed over 60 billion to SMEs and created facilities for 20,000 individuals across all tribes and religions.
Governor Lalong is now at the centre of the heat and the sametime under the mercy of the Nigerian Media obviously for always standing differently, especially at the National level. Recall that on Monday 15th August 2022, A Plateau State High Court adjourned the continuation of the hearing in a suit filed by a member representing Jos East /Jos Federal Constituency, Dachung Bagos, challenging him over his planned signing of an agreement with Jaiz Bank to rebuild the Jos Main Market.
The Jos Main Market known as terminus was
Established under the first Military Governor of the old Benue-Plateau State, Joseph Gomwalk, it became the hub for the sale of all sorts of commodities including cosmetics and clothing until it was gutted by fire in 2002 by unknown persons. Attempts by past administrations to rebuild the market have proved futile. The current efforts of Lalong to reconstructs over 4322 Shops through this MOU with Jaiz Bank should have been welcome by the spirit of statesmanship and Patriotism by the Plateau Sons and daughters. It has been over 20 years since it went into flames turning hundreds of millionaires into bigger and thousands jobless with State revenue almost Collapsing to depend solidly on FAAC.
Politicians should stop playing religious and ethnic cards unless they envy Governor Lalong’s national calling and acceptance. Just like late Solomon Lar who made the residence of Late Abubakar Rimi of Kano his second home, Lalong seems to be his replica with his recent appointment as Director General of Tinubu/Kashim Presidential Campaign Council and the same time the Chairman of the 19 States Northern Governors Forum. His recent decision to sign the MOU with the Jaiz Bank has no religious colouration or benefit. As Nigeria heads toward the 2023 general elections, He will be one among many whose names will be written with gold pens for Standing with Peace and Unity of Nigeria in this challenging time of history. Just like Obasanjo, Lalong passion and commitment to building a prosperous nation are glaring hence politicization of religion can only cause us tears not progress. Nigeria first and our actions are important in sustaining a United Nigeria.
Danaudi,National President of Arewa Youths advocate for Peace and Unity Initiative via [email protected].
