Religion and politics are inter-related, chained together to provide us with a peaceful Society.
Religion mobilizes religious sensibilities of the people in order to get their support to capture power, while politics uses intrigues and diplomacy, and makes attempts to win public opinion either democratically, if the system allows it, or through the usurpation of power with the help of army, if the society is under-developed and backward.
Karl Marx,one of the greatest Philosophers that ever lived 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, instead of being a unifying factor, is becoming a business of the weak-minded and those who use it to acquire wealth and power as well as influence government decisions.
The sad reality is that, these narratives have deepened hatred and has done more damage to our collective agreement of the 1914 amalgamation of the southern and Northern Protectorates into an entity called Nigeria.
The emergenced of religious associations have caused those in government sleepless nights through their consistent press conferences against government decisions, even when such decisions are of the overall interest of the masses.
We must look beyond religious and tribal identities to build a solid foundation and a 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 we must acknowledge the fact that his choice of words regarding politics and religion in Nigeria are healing. He said Government House is not a place of worship but rather where decisions of government are taken on 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 emphasises the need for the people to respect the constituted authorities of government and 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 worisome.
Jos Main Market,The largest indoor market in West Africa was brought down over 20 years ago and Governor Lalong’s intention to reconstruct the market is now facing resistance from the citizens, citing both politics and religion as reasons. No doubt, Governor Lalong has inherited a state that has been at the frontline of conflicts that are of ethnic and religion dimensions, which he has been able to stabilise and curtail to the barest 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 Plateau State by reconnecting it to other states of the federation and the neighbouring countries economically.
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 the then Governor of the apex bank (now Executive Governor of Anambra State), Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
Jaiz Bank was commenced operations under the administration of Former President Goodluck Jonathan and the 14th Emir of Kano as the CBN Governor.
Religion should be a subject of interest not 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 expertise that Jaiz Bank will indeed add value to the Nigerian economy and they, therefore subscribed to it. This is how the world economy prospers.
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 fourty 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.
The Non interest banking is a growing global phenomenon practiced in nearly 80 countries across the world, most-notably United Kingdom, Canada,United Arab Emirates,Malaysia, China, Singapore, South Africa and Kenya.
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 their partners in Nigeria, chanelled 75 billion into Agriculture, distributed over 60 billion in SMEs and created facilities for 20,000 individuals across all the tribes and religions.
Governor Lalong is now at the centre of the heat and at 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 hearing in a suit filed by a member representing Jos East /Jos Federal Constituency, Dachung Bagos, challenging Lalong 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. Attempts by past administrations to rebuild the market proved futile. The current efforts of Lalong to reconstruct over 4322 Shops through this MOU with Jaiz Bank should have been welcomed by the spirit of statesmanship and patriotism by the Plateau sons and daughters.It has been over 20 years since the shops went into flames, turning hundreds of millionaires into beggars and thousands jobless with state revenue almost collapsing to the point of dependence on FAAC allocation.
The Politicians should stop playing religious and ethnic cards about the reconstruction of the market, unless they are envious of Governor Lalong’s national calling and acceptance.
The late Solomon Lar who made the residence of Late Abubakar Rimi of Kano State his second home. Lalong seems to be his replica with his recent appointment as Director General of Tinubu/Kashim Presidential Campaign Council and at the sametime the Chairman of the 19 States Northern Governors Forum.
His recent decision to sign the MOU with the Jaiz Bank has absolutely no religious coloration or any other benifits. As Nigeria heads towards the 2023 general elections, he will be counted among the many whose names will be written in gold for standing with peace and unity of Nigeria in these challenging times of its history.
Just like Obasanjo, Lalong passion and commitment towards building a prosperous nation is glaring.
Politicization of religion can only cause us tears not progress. Nigeria first and our actions are important for the sustenance of a united Nigeria.
Danaudi, National President of Arewa Youths Advocate for Peace and Unity Initiative via danaudicomrade@gmail.com
