Religion Has Never Been A Factor In the Manner We Are Governed- Northern Elders Forum

The organization expressed concern over developments in many aspects of Nigerian politics as they relate to preparations for the 2023 elections and beyond, the organization.

A statement by the NEF Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, in Abuja accused politicians of "desperately shepherding Nigerians into two irreconcilable religious divides, all in a bid to garner undeserved advantages at the expense of religious tolerance and coexistence.ÔÇØ

He said, "These developments threaten our already distressed democratic process. Our politics now operates outside safe and tolerable boundaries, and the nation will pay dearly for the desperation and limitations of those who ought to show leadership and responsibility among our politicians.

"It is not responsible to resist the urge to caution politicians only on the ground that many matters that will impact on our lives and the quality of our national existence are purely internal affairs of political parties.

"The search for a running mate for the APC's presidential candidate with religious faith of two individuals as the sole issue at stake represents a sad reminder that our politicians will not allow our democratic system to grow beyond the narrowest of confinements.

"Nigerians take their faith seriously, but we are also painfully aware that the faith of our leaders has never been a factor in the manner we are governed. The political maneuvers in the APC now divert attention from serious issues around the quality of governance, and point to the danger that we are a multi-religious country whose citizens will pay dearly if one politician is not a Christian or Muslim.