Clergymen from both the Muslim and Christian faiths have urged Kaduna State residents to avoid tribal and religious sentiments, particularly during and after Saturday’s governorship and state house of assembly elections.
They also urged voters to vote for competent and credible candidates, which would result in good governance in the state.
The clerics made the call at a meeting at the Arewa House in Kaduna on Thursday as part of the ‘Like Minds Forum for All-Inclusive Governance in Kaduna State’ platform.
The forum’s Chairman, Bishop Robert Adah, and Secretary, Dr. Mu’azu Tukur, said in a resolution signed after the meeting that the adoption of the same faith ticket by some politicians in Kaduna State was discouraging, misleading, and divisive.
The duo also expressed concern that the adoption of a specific governorship candidate by some religious leaders in the state could lead to clannishness and stigmatisation.
“We advise that for the sake of posterity, the entire people of Kaduna State should go and vote for credibility, based on their conscience, not on religious or tribal sentiments.
“Following our forum’s submissions, we encourage that good governance in Kaduna State can only be achieved through voting credible candidates who are fit for the job as the governor of the state,” the duo said.
Responding to questions on issues of same faith ticket, the forum leaders noted that apart from attempt to divide the people on religious line, there was nothing spectacular it had brought in the state for the last four years.
A member of the forum, who craved anonymity on the sideline of the meeting, said “I can tell you that the same faith introduced in Kaduna State in the last four years has not added value to the practice of Islam in the state.
“Many places of worships which are considered sacred, particularly mosques, have been demolished. Many of us find it difficult to even travel for Hajj,” he said. (NAN)
