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2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by bcomputer101: 6:38am On Nov 07, 2013 |
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/ |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by MissLeslie(m): 6:50am On Nov 07, 2013 |
We don hear |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by Nobody: 7:00am On Nov 07, 2013 |
Muslim as usual! |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by pleasantchi: 7:00am On Nov 07, 2013 |
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. |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by quivah(f): 7:11am On Nov 07, 2013 |
Religion has nothing to do with individuality!!... |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by Nobody: 7:13am On Nov 07, 2013 |
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.. |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by snika: 7:33am On Nov 07, 2013 |
bcomputer101: 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 |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by quivah(f): 7:50am On Nov 07, 2013 |
snika:^^^^ 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 3 Likes |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by bcomputer101: 7:51am On Nov 07, 2013 |
snika: 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! 4 Likes |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by dridowu: 8:05am On Nov 07, 2013 |
snika: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 1 Like |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by AdekunleBalogun: 8:33am On Nov 07, 2013 |
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!!! |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by macof(m): 8:59am On Nov 07, 2013 |
Pagan governor is best for Lagos. A governor who's family is devoted to Olokun or Olosa(gods of Eko) 1 Like |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by Nobody: 9:01am On Nov 07, 2013 |
pdp's divide and rule can't work in lagos, on a daily basis you do business with as much Christian as you do muslims. 1 Like |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by oduaboy1: 9:07am On Nov 07, 2013 |
quivah:It's not one of the best,it is the best. 1 Like |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by dayokanu(m): 9:07am On Nov 07, 2013 |
It doesn't matter 1 Like |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by Nobody: 9:42am On Nov 07, 2013 |
Lagos Muslims are asho ebi Muslims. |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by Beaf1: 10:25am On Nov 07, 2013 |
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 |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by Desola(f): 10:37am On Nov 07, 2013 |
macof: Pagan governor is best for Lagos. A governor who's family is devoted to Olokun or Olosa(gods of Eko) Gbabeski! |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by Brimmie(m): 10:56am On Nov 07, 2013 |
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. |
Re: 2015: Christian or Muslim governor for Lagos? by skyfall: 11:27am On Nov 07, 2013 |
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. 1 Like |
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