Make promises you can fulfil, Muslim body charges politicians

The Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) Abuja chapter has advised elected public office holders to always make promises they can fulfill. This they said is in order to avoid Allah’s anger for their failure to live up to expectations.

The body made the call at the weekend during its 13th annual Ramadan lecture titled: “Fulfilling electoral promises” in Abuja. During the lecture, invited Islamic scholars, clerics and media practitioners laid emphasis on the importance of sincerity and fairness before and after being elected into public offices.

They condemned situations whereby vague promises are made by politicians across religious and ethnic lines without intention or efforts to fulfill them.

Malam Idris Usman, a former Ameer, Abuja Muslim Forum, who represented the Chairman, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, secretary-general, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) said politicians should have good intentions.

“No one is elected into office, except he or she offers himself to be elected with promises to do one thing or the other. Public office holders should always remember that they are accountable in this world and in hereafter.

“The religious leaders, the media and the general public should be reminding them of the need to be accountable.

Elected leaders should be just in all their affairs, they should be fair to all, irrespective of religion or tribe of their followers.

That is what Allah commanded Daud (David) when he became the leader of his people,” Prof. Oloyede said.

Similarly, the Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Dr. Musa Olaofe, emphasized the importance of covenant, saying that “the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (PBUH) said they who have no covenant have no faith. Whoever has faith in Allah should fulfill his promise.

Allah told leaders to lead by example, by doing what they expect their followers to do and not doing the contrary.”

Olaofe urged both followers and leaders to have the fear of Allah in their relationship with one another, saying that is a veritable recipe for a developed and peaceful society.

Also, the Managing Director, Daily Times Nigeria Limited, Aliu Akoshile, also urged both leaders and the led to be mindful of the kind of society they desire, adding that “what we do at various levels affect what happens at national level.

If we are not sincere at home, we cannot task those at national level on sincerity.

“There is a triangle of conspiracy and the media is part of the conspiracy. If the scholars, media and the general public fail to say the truth to those in position of power, the society will not be better.

“Various organizations, including the media that are giving awards to public office holders who perform below expectation encourage them to continue to misbehave.

Therefore, the media should reposition its own responsibility to make elected officers work effectively.”

However, the newly elected Chairperson, MMPN Abuja, Hajia Medina Nadabo, on behalf of the new board commended participants at the occasion and enjoined members to practice responsible journalism.

“All media practitioners should discharge their duties ethically because there is life after death,” she said.