Prof. Oloyede On APC Muslim-Muslim Ticket 

The Secretary-General of Nigeria’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede was asked to speak on the All Progressives Congress (APC) same faith ticket. 

Here is what he said:

1. Thank you for your question. As you may already be aware, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) is not a political organisation and does not, whether in the past, present or in the foreseeable future, involve itself in any way whatsoever, in partisan politics and political activities, clandestinely or openly, including political campaigns, prophesies,  permutations,  forecasting, clairvoyance, etc. That is strictly within the domain of politicians and political parties and truly outside the scope of the activities of the NSCIA.

2. The NSCIA is also always conscious of Allah’s  immutable words in the Qur’an, regarding ascending to and descending from power, as Allah’s sole prerogative and I quote:

*Say (O Muhammad Peace be upon him): O Allah! Possessor of power, You give power to whom You will, and You take power from whom You will, and You endow with honour whom You will, and You debase whom You will. In Your Hand is all that is good. Verily, You are Able to do all things.” [ Qur’an 3:26]*  

3. Consequently, both the NSCIA and the Muslim Ummah of Nigeria who, in thought and practice, unapologetically draw instructions from the Holy Qur’an, have absolute trust that Almighty Allah has the limitless capacity, to bring to power or deny the power, to whomsoever He pleases in line with the above Qur’anic injunction. As Muslims, therefore, we are left with no choice but to continue to supplicate to Allah to grant that only Nigerians who possess the requisite capacity, integrity,  sagacity, empathy, positive attitude, passion, administrative acumen, zeal for selfless service, sense of justice, fairness,  equity etc., shall eventually triumph at both their respective parties’ primaries and subsequent general elections, at all tiers of government in Nigeria.

4. The NSCIA, as the apex Religious body for the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and worldwide, under the Sterling Leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, NSCIA,  Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, *CFR, mni*,  will also, never for a moment, cease to pray for the peaceful coexistence of all the children of Adam, in Nigeria and indeed globally, irrespective of their Creeds. This is the overriding objective of the NSCIA!

5. Furthermore, the NSCIA would continue to lend its voice to calls for all Nigerians, including political, religious, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, the press, et al, to eschew religious politics and the politicisation of religion, subtly or manifestly, in Nigeria, to avoid the dire negative consequences associated with such ill-advised moves, as obtained in other climes that weaponise religion for temporary political advantages. 

6. Finally, may Almighty Allah impress in the hearts of all  Nigerians the imperative of building the nation together for justice, peace,  security and progress to reign forever. Ameen.’