2027: Sheikh warns parties against same-faith governorship tickets in Kaduna, other diverse states

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

A Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Haliru Maraya, has urged political parties in Kaduna State and other religiously diverse states to avoid presenting same-faith governorship and deputy governorship candidates in the 2027 elections, saying such arrangements could undermine inclusion and social harmony.

Maraya, who spoke with journalists in Kaduna, said heterogeneous states should embrace balanced leadership that reflects their religious diversity in order to promote peace, unity and a sense of belonging among all citizens.

According to him, Kaduna State maintained a tradition of pairing governors and deputy governors of different faiths from 1999 until the introduction of a same-faith ticket by the immediate past administration.

“Since 1999, Kaduna State has always produced governors and deputies of different religious backgrounds. That display of justice strengthened unity and gave every section of the state a sense of belonging,” he said.

He recalled that during the administrations of Ahmed Makarfi, Namadi Sambo, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, governors and their deputies professed different faiths, a development he said fostered inclusiveness and stable governance.

Maraya noted that those administrations also recorded significant achievements in infrastructure development, including the construction of roads and other social amenities across many parts of the state.

The cleric, who served as Special Adviser on Islamic Matters to the late Governor Patrick Yakowa and former Governor Ramalan Yero, expressed concern over the adoption of a same-faith governorship ticket during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, arguing that many residents viewed it as inconsistent with the principles of equity and fairness.

He therefore called on political parties to ensure that governorship candidates and their running mates in states with diverse religious populations come from different faiths.

According to him, such an arrangement would strengthen unity, encourage equal representation and deepen public confidence in government.

“This will go a long way in uniting our people and ensuring that followers of the two major religions have a sense of belonging in governance. Together, we can achieve peace, unity and progress,” he said.

Maraya also advised Plateau State and other heterogeneous states to adopt similar arrangements in future elections to reinforce peaceful coexistence and mutual trust among their diverse communities.

He stressed that both Islam and Christianity preach peace and justice, urging political leaders to demonstrate fairness from the formation of government.

Quoting the Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ibn Taymiyyah, Maraya said: “Indeed, Allah supports a just state even if it is led by unbelievers, and He does not support an unjust state even if it is led by believers.”

He said the quotation underscores that justice, rather than the religious identity of leaders, remains the foundation of good governance and societal progress.

The cleric further pointed to Nasarawa and Taraba states, where governors and their deputies are of different faiths, describing the arrangement as one that has promoted inclusion, unity and peaceful coexistence.

He urged politicians seeking elective offices in heterogeneous states to place justice, fairness and inclusiveness above partisan considerations in the interest of sustainable peace and development.