Nigerian Muslims that are eligible for voting in the upcoming general elections have been warned not to indulge in vote buying or selling.
The Grand Mufti of the Conference of Islamic Organisations, CIO, Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafii gave the warning at the monthly Adhkaar/Special Prayer for the Nation organised by the Lagos Chapter of The Muslim Congress (TMC), recently at Da’wah Center, Lagos.
Sheikh Shafi’i who spoke on the topic, “Right Choice: The Traits Scale of a Sound Electorate”, decried the act of vote-buying, saying it is the same as bribery and there is a curse on those who give and take bribe as well as those who facilitate it.
The Islamic scholar also bemoaned the pathetic situation of the country, which he said has made it necessary for all adult Muslim electorate to call for credible leaders in the next elections.
According to him, “As it concerns Nigeria, voting is mandatory for qualified Muslims because that is the constitutionally permissible method of choosing leaders for the country. We are not among those who forbid people from voting.
“The current situation in the country makes voting more mandatory for the ummah. Therefore, all adult Muslims with a PVC should turn out and vote. We expect only qualified people to participate in elections, and as it concerns us, participating in governmental affairs is an act of worship.
“Islamic scholars have a duty to guide the ummah. It is the duty of every electorate to become familiar with the voting rules as stipulated by INEC. We should vote with conscience and prioritize those who will best serve our societal interests.
“The public should have reasonable knowledge of candidates, their history, their boldness, prior achievements in public life and past acts of justice in governance, not those with deadly hidden agendas.
“Scholarly verdicts on criteria for the most qualified candidate is about 34 but here in Nigeria due to the method of the enthronement of government, the person with more good qualities should be given the opportunity.
“The Prophet was reported to have said whosoever sees a more qualified person and fails to strive for his enthronement and goes ahead to select a less qualified person; such a person has betrayed the teachings of Islam. It is on this premise that Muslims should give priority to candidates rather than parties.
“Muslims who want to vote must be qualified. The person to be voted for must be qualified and competent. Electoral rules must be clearly known and candidates should be known to be God-fearing”.
One of the Spiritual leaders of TMC also stated that INEC outlines must be obeyed, electoral guidelines for the elections should be obeyed, and chaste Muslim women in Niqab (veil) also have the rights to vote and voting rules respect the hijab.
“Leadership is mandatory in society, particularly where Muslims exist. This is in line with the teachings of Allah and Sunnah of the Prophet (S.A.W).
The primary purpose of having a government is to ensure orderliness, peace and development. These are fundamental to the teachings of Islam”, he said, during the social prayer that was well attended by members and non-members.
The general elections is expected to begin with the presidential and national assembly polls on Saturday, February 25.
