Southern Nigerian Christian politicians who romance Islam to become relevant in the APC

By George Onmonya Daniel

Recently, there has been a trend in the political circle in Southern Nigeria, where Southern Nigerian politicians have to romance Islam to become relevant in the All Progressive Congress (APC).

When Femi Gbajabiamila was looking for the position of the Speaker of the House of Assembly during the Buhari era, he started advertising his being a Muslim to get Northern Muslim support. Mr. Gbajabiamila even visited Mecca, took some Mecca photos and splashed it on social media to get Arewa support.

President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu hit different mosques even before he launched his campaign to prove he is a Muslim. This is a man who could not recite any verse of the Quran, clearly showing he has never been a practising Muslim. He got an overwhelming support from Northern and Middle Belt Muslims for taking a Muslim Vice President.

Southern Nigerian Christians have joined the bandwagon. Since joining the APC, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has continued to launch an attack against Israel, calling Israel leaders all sorts of name. It is like to become relevant in the party, some Southern Nigerians have to go all out to voice out support for Islam and be pro-Islam.

Pastor Reno Omokri is also one of such characters. When he spends all his time on X attacking Igbos, he has also found that to be political relevant he has to be pro-Islam.

Mr. Omokri doesn’t criticise the Muslim north, or their sheikhs, who have continued to spew hate against Christians nowadays with so much venom. In fact, some of them are still telling their congregation that democracy is haram.

Another character is actress, Tontoh Dike, who nowadays describe herself as a politician. She is now a member of the APC. Daily Trust gleefully reported her fascination with Islam in one of their edition.

During the Oputa Panel, Major Hamza El-Mustapha described Yemi Tokoya, one time gubernatorial aspirant of Lagos as Muslim when Abacha was in office, and Christian when Obasanjo became president. This trend may not be new. However, it is disturbing.