By joshua CHRISTIAN NORTHERN NIGERIA PROGRESSIVE FORUM – CNNPF CONDEMNS RECKLESS STATEMENT ON RELIGIOUS DOMINANCE IN POLITICS
_Urges Nigerians to Uphold Unity, Tolerance and the Spirit of One Nigeria_
The *Christian Northern Nigeria Progressive Forum – CNNPF* has noted with deep concern a *reckless and divisive statement* attributed to one *”Shirk”* suggesting Muslim dominance in politics is ignorant of the fact that Muslim Muslim ticket was a strategy and the Stability of the party APC, not Muslim dominance.
*ON THE 2023 MUSLIM-MUSLIM TICKET*
CNNPF wishes to state clearly that *our support for the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election was not based on popular demand of Christians*.
Our decision was *purely political*. After careful analysis of how politics was tilting toward religion, ethnicity and sectionalism, we chose the strategy to *demystify the narrative that politics is different from religion*. The Muslim-Muslim ticket was a strategic move in view of the contentious election witnessed in Nigeria.
As a political forum of Christians in Northern Nigeria, we *strongly condemn any statement that seeks to promote religious superiority, division, or domination in our national politics*.
Nigeria is a secular, multi-religious, and multi-ethnic nation. No religion owns the country, and no religion should claim dominance over the other in governance. Leadership is by capacity, competence, character, and the will of the people, not by religion.
Our democracy thrives on inclusivity. The *Renewed Hope Agenda* of *President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR* is for all Nigerians — Christians, Muslims, and adherents of other faiths. Using religion to incite division threatens the peace we have all worked hard to build.
We call on the said individual and all public commentators to desist from making inflammatory statements that can ignite religious tension. Freedom of speech must not be used to promote hate.
CNNPF understands that *our unity and peace in Nigeria is far above weaponizing religious dominance because hunger and war do not discriminate by religion*.
We urge Nigerians, especially in the North and across Kogi State, to reject divisive narratives and continue to live together in peace, love, and mutual respect as we have done for decades.
CNNPF reaffirms its commitment to dialogue, peace-building, and nation-building. We call on security agencies to monitor and ensure that no one exploits religion to cause crisis.
Let us remember: *When Nigeria sneezes, all of us catch cold.* Our strength is in our diversity.
We pray for wisdom for our leaders and peace for our nation.
Signed,
*Elder Hon. Ibrahim Gabriel Itodo*
National Chairman, CNNPF