As the 2023 general election continues to gather momentum, the Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ), has cautioned politicians, religious leaders and other stakeholders against heating the polity.
The group, in a statement by its National President, Dr. Charles Okhai and Ag. Director of Media, Sunny Idika accused some political and religious leaders of promoting religious and ethnic parochialism in order to overheat the polity ahead of the general elections.
NACJ warned that unguided utterances must be checked to avert political, ethnic and religious crises,” saying this could only be done if those found culpable are made to face the law either as individuals or groups.
It described as inflammatory a statement credited to the founder of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola, that only a Yoruba Muslim would succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
The group described the development as worrisome, saying the statement was capable of promoting disaffection and causing chaos and instability.
According to NACJ, from the events that have followed the statement is the “banter” going on social media by supporters of former Governor of Lagos state, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and that of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
