"Buhari and Politics of Religion by Abubakar Evuti

http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/05/10/abubakar-evuti-buhari-and-the-politics-of-religion/

No politician, I understand, has been a victim of religious bigotry as Muhammadu Buhari. He, Buhari, in my opinion is the most misconstrued politician. Loved by many in the North of Nigeria for many reasons —including,and perhaps especially for, the fact that he is a Muslim and largely disregarded in the South for some reasons but largely because he is a Muslim.

Muhammadu Buhari has been accused (unofficially of course) of having a secret plan of Islamizing Nigeria, of saying that, at the polls, Christians should vote Christians and Muslims, Muslims and several other statements with the theme of religious bigotry.
I have argued, perhaps too fiercely, each time I hear such stories. I have hollered questions; why did he say it? When did he say that? Where did he say that? And the answers have always being; “you never heard that story before?”

The 2011 elections, more than other elections, saw more attempts of mud-throwing at the name of Muhammadu Buhari. And till present day, the government, through its spokesmen- especially the loquacious Mr. (or is it Dr.?) Doyin Okupe – has tried to paint a picture of a politician, a bitter loser and a religious intolerant man with the face of Muhammadu Buhari.
Doyin Okupe has intentionally caused the name “Buhari” and “Boko Haram” to appear in headlines. He, Okupe, has implied a lot of things —among which is that Buhari, at least by inaction, has allowed the continuous reign of terror by Boko Haram. Okupe has being going forwards and backwards, attacking here and attacking there, vomiting words and, when circumstance demands, eating back his vomit. Personally, I don’t want to protest against him or his polity-tensing statements. I have taken my measure from his statements and I am of the opinion that he is a man of low integrity. I suspect that his ambition is not to be seen as one of the “attack lions” of the Jonathan-led government but THE “attack lion” of the Jonathan-led government.
But Okupe- his vain attempts of mud-throwing at Buhari- is not the concern of this article. We are concerned about Muhammadu Buhari- his religious belief, his perception of Christians and Christianity and his idea of how the two major Nigerian religions can exist in peace.

Muhammadu Buhari, as we all know, is a Muslim. I have being examining his speeches and his understandings of Nigeria- her two major religions, their tense relationship- and I have seen that they are worthy of examination and reflection. Below is a part of the speech he made at the 4th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture on February 15, 1998:
(All emphasis mine)

“Religion is the anchor in the lives of the majority of our people. Besides giving meaning and direction to us, it serves as a means of succor and support against the turbulence and vicissitudes of life. It gives people a value system that inculcates a sense of right and wrong and which ultimately becomes a more effective anti-crime savior than any armed police force. Somehow, unfortunately, despite the attachment of our people to the letter of their faith and their readiness to defend it with all their strength, there is no corresponding concern with its spirit; and, consequently, this has not translated into Nigerians becoming their brothers’ keepers. And nowhere is this failure so glaring as in the way and manners officials treat matters entrusted to them by virtue of their public office. Yet they are not shunned by religious leaders. Our Ulama and priests will pray for and bless every charlatan, bless every accursed occasion or deed so long as there is someone to foot their bill. Our society must reject this and quickly put these miscreants and pseudo-scholars out of business.

More importantly, WE MUST ALSO FORCEFULLY RESIST THOSE WHO WISH TO SET OUR SOCIETY ON THE PATH OF RELIGIOUS CONFLICT.

The recent past was unfortunate, the present is not good enough; and it is our duty to create a future that should become a model for all multi-religious societies. We must get together or we shall all get it together. Our principal religions share a heritage that ought to be used to forge links between Muslims and Christians. Both are revealed, monotheistic faiths that teach tolerance and peaceful co-existence. The recent visit of the Pope was a good sign of tolerance and mutual determination to put past mistrust aside.

Christianity preaches love and is founded upon love and true belief in the one true God as the life of Jesus Christ (AS) symbolizes. Islam means peace and submission to the will of the same one true God. The life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who ,during his lifetime ,interacted ,received and discussed issues of theology with Christian priests right inside Masjid an-Nabawi, his mosque and the second holiest sanctuary in Islam, should be sufficient as an indication to the type of brotherhood and tolerance that Islam teaches, demands and practices. If nowadays this type of interaction doesn’t exist, Muslims must search their souls, and ask themselves if they indeed copy the example of the Holy Prophet in their dealings with the People of the Book, as Christians are called in Islam.

In the same vein, our priests must be able to know that Islam is very deferent from what missionary education teaches, and to distinguish between the agenda of Christianity and the agenda of western imperialism. The Qur’an teaches Musl

Buhari and Politics of Region (contind)

In the same vein, our priests must be able to know that Islam is very deferent from what missionary education teaches, and to distinguish between the agenda of Christianity and the agenda of western imperialism. The Qur’an teaches Muslims that among those closest to them are the Christians.

Perhaps it can with justice be said that the problem of leadership is most acute in the domain of religion; because, more than in other areas leadership in the religious sphere tends to lead from behind. Leaders seem to wait to determine what the mob wishes to hear, and they tell exactly that. But the mob is frequently a blood-thirsty creature which has no place in the scheme of any of our civilized monotheistic faiths.

WHOSOEVER THEREFORE IN THE NAME OF EITHER RELIGION PREACHES INTOLERANCE IS CLEARLY AN ADHERENT OF NEITHER, AND OUR SOCIETY MUST EVOLVE A WAY OF UNMASKING THE HIDDEN AGENDA AT WORK.

We must understand provocation while it is being planned and stop it before it happens. We must educate our zealot to learn that his right ends where those of his neighbor begin. Everyone must be made to accept that we are all one vast family under the lordship of God; and it is He alone who can pass judgment over his bondsmen.
Knowing this, we should try to heal the wounds of past conflicts whether caused by provocation, sour memories of history, external instigations or plain accidents.

For the future, I wish to suggest that Christians and Muslims must break down the barrier of suspicion, hostility and misunderstanding; and the best way of doing this is by directly talking to each other. It is certainly time to begin a dialogue between Christianity and Islam at all levels – individual, communal, national and even international – to reassure ourselves, save our present and preserve our future, and have a basis for hope here and the hereafter.

We must always remember whether we believe in destiny or not, we will all die. Whether we believe in the hereafter or not, we will all go there. And whether we call ourselves secular or whatever, the truth is that ours is a very religious society, however short on example and however long on precept. And we should be proud of the fact that we are religious. We are not one bit impressed by the evolving legacy of this modern permissive godlessness which wishes to reject all kinds of authority. Freedom must limit itself or be limited by force when anarchy threatens to result. In obedience to God we recognize and must always uphold the necessity of the existence of the family unit, of the indispensability of organized society and leadership; and we accept the authority of parents, elders and those in constituted authority who promote justice.”

The dog and the baboon will be soaked in blood, if Fee Dee Fee outrigs Buhari's political party in 2015. Eye witnesses have seen Buhari's party rigging elections by under 16 voters, as well as his thugs seizing all ballots for Buhari. What Buhari's threats and intimidation amounts to is that other political parties must not outrig his own rigging, lest there will be widespread bloodshed, as when his supporters slaughtered Youth Corps members, just because Buhari declared that He was tired of resorting to the courts. But Buhari has and will always be defeated at polls.

ckkris: The dog and the baboon will be soaked in blood, if Fee Dee Fee outrigs Buhari's political party in 2015. Eye witnesses have seen Buhari's party rigging elections by under 16 voters, as well as his thugs seizing all ballots for Buhari. What Buhari's threats and intimidation amounts to is that other political parties must not outrig his own rigging, lest there will be widespread bloodshed, as when his supporters slaughtered Youth Corps members, just because Buhari declared that He was tired of resorting to the courts. But Buhari has and will always be defeated at polls.

Dude, you know itd help your future a little bit if you tried to get a life?

Afam4evaIsASlut:

Dude, you know itd help your future a little bit if you tried to get a life?

What life can an aboki define for a southern Nigerian, in science, morality, social mobility, commerce, sports, music, which?

Afam4evaIsASlut:

Dude, you know itd help your future a little bit if you tried to get a life?

Please try to refute my claims instead of childish remarks.

Afam4evaIsASlut:

Can you read? I was taking about your loser self, you mor*on.

Lose what? In quality of food, or housing, or schools and hospitals. Please say why you want a terrorist Islamic jihadist like Buhari to rule Nigeria?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0HQQaZtBT0



Jihadist that chooses a pastor as a running mate?


A jihadist that says "Amen" at 15:50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtF3fCpw97Y

Good preaching.But why is terrorism associated wth
Islam.Bomb blast in Benghazi,suiside bombing in
Baghdad,Pakistan,afghanistan,Syria,the list is
Countless.or r Ɣ☺u saying Christians r d ones
Doing d bombing?A word is enough 4 d wise.

ckkris: The dog and the baboon will be soaked in blood, if Fee Dee Fee outrigs Buhari's political party in 2015. Eye witnesses have seen Buhari's party rigging elections by under 16 voters, as well as his thugs seizing all ballots for Buhari. What Buhari's threats and intimidation amounts to is that other political parties must not outrig his own rigging, lest there will be widespread bloodshed, as when his supporters slaughtered Youth Corps members, just because Buhari declared that He was tired of resorting to the courts. But Buhari has and will always be defeated at polls.

Guy dont be lazy, try to read and understand the article and the video by GenBuhari, It will help your sense of judgement a great deal. God bless you bro.

ckkris:
Lose what? In quality of food, or housing, or schools and hospitals. Please say why you want a terrorist Islamic jihadist like Buhari to rule Nigeria?

So he can lock up corrupt people like yourself and make your life more livable even if its from behind bars.

ckkris:
Lose what? In quality of food, or housing, or schools and hospitals. Please say why you want a terrorist Islamic jihadist like Buhari to rule Nigeria?

Lmaoooooo Roflmao "Quality of food, Housing, Schools and Hospitals" ?!?!?


Damn, this is one of the dunces that doesnt even know that he's suffering. Dude, your country is in shambles and your quality of life is zero!

Gen Buhari overthrew democratically elected President, Governors, LGA Chairmen and every institution of Government while suspending the people's constitution for Selfish gains hence he is not qualified to stand for same office morally and otherwise.

Buhari is not even intelligent to be the president of Nigeria....The problem we have in Nigeria are the people of Yoruba extraction, cos they will always vote a northern illiterate into power over an eastern known technocrat...Even though Hausa/fulani people hate them so much...I am sick an tired of Yoruba people.

Buhari's candidature is dead on arrival.

gerald28: Buhari is not even intelligent to be the president of Nigeria....The problem we have in Nigeria are the people of Yoruba extraction, cos they will always vote a northern illiterate into power over an eastern known technocrat...Even though Hausa/fulani people hate them so much...I am sick an tired of Yoruba people.

That one na ya own problem, get well soon from your sickness if you wish.

"Knowledge, they say, is Power". But I beg to differ, rather, Right application of knowledge is power. For instance, every student knows and agrees with the fact that you MUST study well enough to have good grades but only few actually have good grades thus implying that only few students applied their knowledge rightly. To come out of this hopeless situation in Nigeria, we must all embrace the need to live together in Peace and unity and shun every trait of religious, ethnic, tribal and regional sentiments. Our politicians capitalise on these parochial sentiments to milk us dry but we must be ready to stop them by going for knowledge. Mark my words, Riligion has no solution whatsoever to our challenges only Godliness does. "GODliness with contentment is a great gain"

Buhari never plotted the coup he was selected to lead after the coup was already carried out, besides even if he had plotted, he had every right to do so, since the Shagari govt was unconstitutional , having rigged itself back into power and being that it was massively corrupt.

gerald28: Buhari is not even intelligent to be the president of Nigeria....The problem we have in Nigeria are the people of Yoruba extraction, cos they will always vote a northern illiterate into power over an eastern known technocrat...Even though Hausa/fulani people hate them so much...I am sick an tired of Yoruba people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKSqGuENI8A

You mean to say something like "Gen Buhari never planned nor participated in the bank robbery but was called upon to share the loot for the robbers"

Anyway and anyhow, he is an accomplice and is guilty as charged.

GenBuhari: Buhari never plotted the coup he was selected to lead after the coup was already carried out, besides even if he had plotted, he had every right to do so, since the Shagari govt was unconstitutional , having rigged itself back into power and being that it was massively corrupt.

How Buhari's war on corruption caused closure of corrupt UK Bank

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZzxFbY6C6Y

Ngwakwe: You mean to say something like "Gen Buhari never planned nor participated in the bank robbery but was called upon to share the loot for the robbers"

Anyway and anyhow, he is an accomplice and is guilty as charged.

Sai Mai Gaskiya

Let Buhari declare the Holy and Glorious Islamic Republic of Hausanistan. Be assured Sir, no one will fight him back into Nigeria. Biafra is important to Nigeria, your region is not. Shout ARABA again as your elders did in 1966. The South is helping the Core North to develop into the 21st century, and all you people can do is kill the same southerners. Dont worry, 2015 is not far. Asari has spoken, its either Jona wins to continue to 2019, or . . .

Buhari led Nigeria before but not one state adopted Sharia law.

Your accusations against Buhari are baseless lies.

ckkris: Let Buhari declare the Holy and Glorious Islamic Republic of Hausanistan. Be assured Sir, no one will fight him back into Nigeria. Biafra is important to Nigeria, your region is not. Shout ARABA again as your elders did in 1966. The South is helping the Core North to develop into the 21st century, and all you people can do is kill the same southerners. Dont worry, 2015 is not far. Asari has spoken, its either Jona wins to continue to 2019, or . . .

GenBuhari: Buhari never plotted the coup he was selected to lead after the coup was already carried out, besides even if he had plotted, he had every right to do so, since the Shagari govt was unconstitutional , having rigged itself back into power and being that it was massively corrupt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKSqGuENI8A

Response to this lie should wait until campaign starts. Active participants are still alive and healthy.

Buhari is not a muslim fanatic

Buhari has a christian wife

Buhari has a christian driver

Buhari has a christian cook

Buhari chose a christian vice president candidate for recent presidential elections.

Buhari was absolute military ruler in 1983-85 and he never gave a singel advantage to muslims, in fact he crushed mulsim fanatical violence and suspended hajj prigrimages to save money.

GenBuhari: Buhari is not a muslim fanatic

Buhari has a christian wife

Buhari has a christian driver

Buhari has a christian cook

Buhari chose a christian vice president candidate for recent presidential elections.

Buhari was absolute military ruler lprigrimages to save money.

These are clever strategies to deceive the south. It won't work. Boko Haram has exposed what will happen under Buhari. Any other trick? Experts call it poliTricks/

GenBuhari: Buhari led Nigeria before but not one state adopted Sharia law.

Your accusations against Buhari are baseless lies.

Kai na by force? Other candidates no dey? New voices are being heard. If na by force, na Asari and Tompolo go answer you. Democratically, you will bring almajiiri under 16 minors and thugs to rig election for Buhari, and still lose

Stop lying about the quoted

Christianity approves one man, one wife and nothing more.

Can you give us the profile of this only wife of Buhari, who happens to be a Christian by Worship and dedication.

GenBuhari: Buhari has a christian wife

Admittedly an unconfirmed rumour that his first wife was a christian.

However it is generally accepted that his cook and driver are christians.

There is also talk that his late daughter may have married an Igbo christian.

Ngwakwe: Stop lying about the quoted

Christianity approves one man, one wife and nothing more.

Can you give us the profile of this only wife of Buhari, who happens to be a Christian by Worship and dedication.

We have exercised patience, patriotism and loyalty for the past 14years to people whose actions or intentions have no connection at all with these 3 qualities exhibited by Nigerians. they call them PDP. Yet a GEJ will tell us his administration is new, all over the world Government is a continua, but in Nigeria the reverse is the case. It is madness to keep doing the same thing over again and yet expect a different result. The choice is ours. One man one Vote!!!

GenBuhari: Admittedly an unconfirmed rumour that his first wife was a christian.

However it is generally accepted that his cook and driver are christians.

There is also talk that his late daughter may have married an Igbo christian.

For public interest, just name the Christian first wife of Buhari and where she hailed from, and also his Ibo son in law, if any. Nigerians were generally living as they wished, before relugious fanatics started beheading peole like rams.