A former speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has asked Nigerians to reject the antics of politicians trying to use religion to divide them and achieve selfish ends.
Dogara stated this on Saturday at the convocation ceremony of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo state.
He said if country’s diversity is well harnessed, it can turn the fortunes of the people into things that will benefit everyone.
“I still don’t understand how our religion has been turned into a weapon of social upheavals in our country without such happening in our neighborhood countries.
“As a people, we should reject the antics of politicians trying to use our faiths to keep us disunited for their selfish ends.
“There is nothing wrong with our religion; but what is wrong is our relationship with people of other faiths.
“Our people should learn to resist those politicians with the evil agenda by peaceful protest in order to change them from the old order for a better Nigerian society,” he said.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the reforms in the process and urged him to ensure the implementation.
He said the president could write his name in gold as a hero of Nigeria’s democracy if the reforms are implemented.
According to Dogara, the introduction of the Bimodal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS) into the election process would guarantee credibility and transparency.
He called on Nigerians to support the implementation of the reforms in the 2023 general elections.
“Permit me to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring radical reforms in the electoral process.
“I say this from my heart, especially with regards to the use of BVAS. If he follows it through, he will bequeath upon us a legacy of democratic process that has no equal in Africa.
“I therefore say Buhari has a date with history. He can truly be the hero of our democracy if he ensures that our votes count in 2023.
“Thereafter, we can beat our chest and say we have not only elected leaders in elections where our votes count, but we have elected leadership that we deserve.
“It is a challenge to all Nigerians to ensure that we carry through the reforms and follow them across to the finish line”, Dogara said.
He urged Nigerians not to sell their votes or refuse to vote, stressing that their power is in their vote.
