By ENUJI Miracle
This religious angle to Delta politics is not a welcome development. This is a dangerous trend.
Even a professed Christian (Peter Obi) couldn’t get the *required votes* to defeat three Muslims (Kwankwaso, Tinubu & Atiku) who were sharply divided across political lines, cultural and geopolitical backgrounds.
Don’t mess up your Facebook wall by condemning the religious belief of anyone. It’s a fundamental right to associate with any religion.
The motto of Delta state was changed to the Finger of God during Governor Uduaghan’s administration but was reverted to the initial motto, The Big Heart by Governor Okowa’s administration.
The two governors are perceived christians but the ideology between their decisions would have been based on the Successes recorded in the state as at that time or on the need to have a more Liberal state.
Nigeria is deemed a secular state and efforts to disabuse every intent to Islamize it have consistently been fought by the clergies but this united front of Christianity couldn’t speak in one voice to give Peter Obi- a Christian presidential candidate, the robust figures to emerge president-elect as announced by INEC.
What Delta needs is an administrator that can execute development across all local governments, that can drive economic investments to the state, a visionary governor and above all, an open door policy.
We’ve got the best of gubernatorial candidates for this poll, great Deltans with track records of rights and wrongs. Hence they have put forth their Resume for employment, Deltans should not judge them by their Faith.
Over 50% of rich christians, churches and wealthy Deltans entrust the safety of their lives, properties and families to *Muslim guards* (armed and unarmed). How and Why do we now campaign in a divisive religious line for our next governor.
This is not campaign. This is hate speech. This is inciting. This is not religious tolerance.
I urge heads of the campaign organizations to call these aides to a stop and channel their energy towards interpreting and propagating the vision and manifestos of their candidates to thousands of voters who are yet to decide on a candidate of their choice.
Delta deserves the best Governor and Happy Citizens. We’ve been divided enough by Tribe and Senatorial Districts. Let’s not divide it further by religious affiliation or else, we may slide into rotational governorship along religious belief from 2027.
📷Delta State Government House, Asaba.
*Required votes* – According to the electoral umpire in Nigeria, INEC, Peter Obi of Labour Party scored a total of 6,101,533 votes.
*Muslim guard* – not all guards are Muslims. The illustration above is only relevant in this context.