2023 Presidency: ‘One Religion’ Ticket Is Unconstitutional, Offensive, Will Create Chaos — Prof Obiaraeri Warns

By ThankGod Emeh.

A renowned legal luminary, Professor Nnamdi Obiaraeri has warned against Muslim/Muslim or Christian/Christian Presidential ticket in the 2023 election, stressing that “Religion is a major faultline in Nigeria hence, religious dominance should be discouraged in order to promote national unity” while citing constitutional provisions.

Prof Obiaraeri who noted that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and religious society, added that the people campaigning for a “one religion” presidential ticket are out to create chaos and division in the country as such development if allowed will cause incalculable harm to the letter and spirit of the Nigerian constitution which is “the _grundnorm (fons et origo)”_

He said, “There is no State religion in Nigeria and the Government of the Federation is mandatorily required to be composed in such a way as to ensure that there shall, among other things, be no predominance of persons from a religious group in that Government”

“A community reading of the provisions of sections 10 and 14(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended will lead to the inescapable conclusion that either a Christian/Christian or Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket is unconstitutional”

Giving detailed insights into the Nigerian constitution, Prof Nnamdi Obiaraeri emphasized that “Out of abundant caution, it needs to be accentuated that section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended expressly provides that the Government of the Federation shall not adopt any religion as State religion, while section 14(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended provides explicitly that *the composition of the Government of the Federation … and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government….”*

“It is not arguable that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious society”

The legal expert in view of the foregoing stressed that either a Muslim/Muslim or Christian/Christian presidential ticket has the potential of negating the above clear provisions of the constitution.

“When delivered in an election, any of these tickets (Christian/Christian or Muslim/Muslim) will lead to the predominance of persons from one religious group in the commanding height of national leadership as both the President and Vice-President will be from the same religious group”

He noted that a “one religion” ticket further offends the provision of section 14(1) of the Constitution requiring that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice as “There can be no social justice without inclusion”

“Needless to over-emphasize that a balanced ticket (Christian/Muslim or Muslim/Christian) will, if successfully delivered, recognize diversity and promote national unity”

“A balanced ticket is constitutionally envisaged irreducible minimum in a heterogeneous society like Nigeria”

“A new normal is possible!🖋️”

…News Corner.