There is a campaign currently going on in Lagos State.
Its drumbeat is beginning to reach a crescendo in recent
times. As the race for the 2015 general elections gathers
momentum, the question of who succeeds the incumbent
governor, Babatunde Fashola, has become the subject of
intense public speculation. The governor, who is on the
final lap of his second term tenure, will quit office in
2015. Thus, it is not surprising that the debate of who
replaces him will become the subject of public interest.

The succession brouhaha in Lagos is not totally
unexpected. Lagos, with a population of 25 million
inhabitants, is perhaps the only Nigerian city with global
acclaim. It has also over the years grown to be Nigeria’s
most important state. Its massive internally generated
revenue, about N17bn; a huge commercial and industrial
base coupled with its being a former federal capital city
make it a coveted state among the political elite in the
country. That is why Lagos has been the theatre of fierce
political battles–the struggle for its political dominance
peaked since the return to democracy in 1999.

More specifically, the state is still the scene of an
ongoing political struggle between the Peoples
Democratic Party and the defunct Action Congress of
Nigeria now under the All Progressives Congress. The
jostle for who becomes governor had also once
witnessed intra-party rivalry that pitted one faction
against the other. The importance of Lagos has ensured
that it is continually in the eye of the storm with the
Federal Government which would give anything to bring
the state under its political control. Successive
governments in Abuja have always sought to wrest
control of the state from the “progressives” who have
dominated political power since. In most cases, they
have blocked policies embarked on by the state just to
prove a political point or strangle it to submission. This
points to the importance of Lagos in the national political
equation. That is why it is not surprising that, once
again, the race for Alausa is attracting attention, except
that this time, it has taken a religious dimension. But I
consider the present call by some Christians for a
Christian governor strange and unprecedented. It is
strange because it is curious that some so-called
Christians in the state would seek to campaign for a
Christian governor as if it is the sole determinant of good
leadership.

It is also unprecedented because this is the first time an
attempt will be made by a religious body to consciously
campaign that a governor emerges from their faith. The
clamour first began not too long ago. It was brought into
the public space by the Director of Civic and Political
Affairs of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland of the Anglican
Communion, Venerable Folarin Shobo, who asked Lagos
residents to vote in a Christian as governor in 2015.

Shobo said it was time for power to shift in the state.
According to him, ‘’Lagos residents cannot afford to
continue with the present political arrangement whereby
political officers were largely people of a particular
faith”. The cleric urged Christians in the state to change
the political status quo. He said, “It is not fair to have a
government that is largely tilted to people of a particular
religion. Christians over the years have been
magnanimous enough. We have worked for people who
are not of our faith and we have supported them to be in
government. It is now time for us to come out and take
the bull by the horns’’. He reportedly lamented the
situation where none of the five people being tipped to
succeed Fashola come 2015 is a Christian. “Asking for a
Christian governor in Lagos State at this time is not out
of place. It is long overdue and it is time we began to do
something about it,” Shobo’s position was re-echoed at
another forum by a group called the Men Mission’s Union
of New Jerusalem-City Baptist Church, Ejigbo, at a
breakfast session with the Chairman of the Ejigbo Local
Council Development Area, Kehinde Bamigbetan, on the
theme: Christians and Politics: A Personal Reflection.
Bamigbetan debunked the allegation that neither the
party nor its leaders is consciously sponsoring Muslim
candidates. Then enter the Pentecostal Fellowship of
Nigeria Lagos branch. In a statement titled, “The Church
and Governance of Lagos State”, Its chairman, one
Apostle Alex Bamgbala, said Christians have supported
the two Muslim administrations in the state since 1999
and it is only fair that they give room for their Christian
counterparts to be elected in 2015.

As the race for the Lagos top job gathers momentum, I
am sure it will not be long before other Christians join
this annoying and bizarre campaign. My take on this is
simple. I consider the reason behind the Christian-for-
governor disgraceful and odious. The campaign by these
so-called Christian leaders is also dangerous,
diversionary, hypocritical and inimical to peaceful co-
existence of the state’s residents. It detracts from the
real issues of governance. And there lies our problem as
a country. I am a Christian and if you ask me, I do not
give a hoot about the religion of the next governor.
Neither has religion determined who gets my vote. Not in
past elections and not in the future. For all I care, the
next governor can be a traditionalist or even an atheist.
What is important to me and for all residents is
performance and pedigree.

The position of the so-called Christians is immoral to
me, and reprehensible at best. It is curious that they
have chosen this time for their divisive and unpatriotic
campaign. One would expect them to demand good
government no matter who will rule Lagos. What Lagos
needs is good governance. Lagos residents want
improvement in all aspects of their lives. They want
better inner city roads, effective transport services, good
schools, improved health care services, more
independent power projects and security of lives and
property. So, what has religion got to do with these?
Lagos needs the best man for the job. There are those
who have applauded Fashola’s performance so far.
Never for once has his religion been in contention. What
these masquerading as religious leaders have failed to
tell us is how Fashola’s performance have impacted on
Muslim alone.

What they have also failed to tell us is what other
leadership qualities a Christian governor must possess
other than just being a Christian. For them, Lagos needs
a Christian governor even if the would-be candidate
lacks the qualities. This attitude should be condemned by
all Lagos residents. This is a dangerous trend that must
not be allowed in a democracy. Not the least an
enlightened state like Lagos. It is either they are acting
in ignorance of the ignominious role religion can play in
our national life or are being mischievous. Have they
even forgotten that a political party has its own
structure? Are they now saying that even when a
candidate, who is Muslim emerges, he should be dropped
for a Christian who is not in the ballot or who did not
have the required number of votes to stand election?
Christian leaders should be conscious of the role they
play in the society. They should avoid stoking the embers
of religious hatred by playing up one religion against the
other. Playing on mass hysteria will further widen the
schism that is threatening to tear us apart as a nation.
They should encourage leaders to deliver on their
electoral promises. A Christian governor is not a
guarantee for good governance. This campaign is
nonsensical and must stop.

Source: www.punchng.com/opinion/2015-christian-or-muslim-governor-for-lagos/

We don hear

Muslim as usual!

Could this be a cover up story or what? Or is chime trying to follow the foot steps of orji uzo kalu who never allowed her wife to enjoy d office of d first lady of abia state. Ok oooo. I wish her divine healing.

Yorubas to a large extent have been able to manage or overlook religion in the selection of candidates for election...though we still do a lot of internal balancing and juggling..

bcomputer101:
The succession brouhaha in Lagos is not totally
unexpected. Lagos, with a population of 25 million
inhabitants, is perhaps the only Nigerian city with global
acclaim.

Shut up your lousy mouth Mr. Reporter. Must you overate yourselves each time you are talking about this overcrowded, traffic-jammed, dirty community?

Who told you Lagos has more than than 9 million people? And who told you your state abi city is even world acclaimed, and the only city in Nigeria held in such personality?

Dude go home, you are drunk

snika:

Shut up your lousy mouth Mr. Reporter. Must you overate yourselves each time you are talking about this overcrowded, traffic-jammed, dirty community?

Who told you Lagos has more than than 9 million people? And who told you your state abi city is even world acclaimed, and the only city in Nigeria held in such personality?

Dude go home, you are drunk

^^^^ Someone is hurt!!
The overcrowded dirty area is still one of the best in Nigeria!!...
But just chill, he might have exaggerated but dont take out your anger on him

snika:

Shut up your lousy mouth Mr. Reporter. Must you overate yourselves each time you are talking about this overcrowded, traffic-jammed, dirty community?

Who told you Lagos has more than than 9 million people? And who told you your state abi city is even world acclaimed, and the only city in Nigeria held in such personality?

Dude go home, you are drunk

Can you see your life?

I guess you are one of dos trivializing every thread.

And your brothers refuse to leave Lagos and go back to their local villages BECAUSE dey still see lagos as china of Nigeria.

Woe unto the person that introduce you to weed and cheap ogogoro...

Ode!

snika:

Shut up your lousy mouth Mr. Reporter. Must you overate yourselves each time you are talking about this overcrowded, traffic-jammed, dirty community?

Who told you Lagos has more than than 9 million people? And who told you your state abi city is even world acclaimed, and the only city in Nigeria held in such personality?

Dude go home, you are drunk

bro take it easy oooooo, i hope u wont have hypertension with all ds ur ranting
@topic, religion is not part of our challenges in SW, so any religion that becomes the Gov is welcome , the most imp thing is Positive Development.
Odua Tokan Tokan

No matter how they try, we will not use religion as yardstick for governance, we are smarter than that. That's always my problem this so called men of God, they forgot the real Lagosian are predominantly Muslims.... I guest they want a governor that would allowed them make all the noise and turn the state in a redemption camp, so that thait can increase. Come to think of it, has Fashola stop anyone from holding religious gathering?.... Hypocrites!!!

Pagan governor is best for Lagos. A governor who's family is devoted to Olokun or Olosa(gods of Eko)

quivah:
^^^^ Someone is hurt!!
The overcrowded dirty area is still one of the best in Nigeria!!...
But just chill, he might have exaggerated but dont take out your anger on him

It's not one of the best,it is the best.

It doesn't matter

Lagos Muslims are asho ebi Muslims.

If questions like this will be asked where is the 'one Nigeria' $hit we are talking about? Apart from the swearing-in gathering do you see these thieving politicians with a Bible of Quran to guide them in their duties to deliver good governance?

If a crocodile worshipper can deliver he is welcome

macof: Pagan governor is best for Lagos. A governor who's family is devoted to Olokun or Olosa(gods of Eko)

Gbabeski!

Stewpid Fagg0ts!!

And What About Ondo State!? And Dnt Gimme Dat Bullshit Abt Mimiko.. He's A Christian!!

Last 5 Governors Of Ondo State
-Anthony Ibe Onyearugbulem (Christian)
-Moses Fasanya (Christian)
-Adebayo Adefarati (Christian)
-Olusegun Agagu (Christian)
-Olusegun Mimiko (Christian)

---

So wassup with all the Ogogoro And Tribal Politics in Lagos State??
You flat-headed goons should Keep OFF Lagos!!

There is Nothing Wrong being Religious or Tribal, it's only when you misuse it that is Wrong.

The next governor's religion does not matter. The important thing is his/her ability to perform. Nigerian politicians (and even some pastors) only use religion to divide the people.