– Warns against violence, temptations to disrupt elections
The Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has charged Muslim women to troop out en masse to cast their votes for the right candidates in the first leg of the electoral process, slated for Saturday, February 25.
A statement by the National Amirah of FOMWAN, Hajiah Rofiah Idowu-Sanni on Wednesday, said voting in the general election is a necessity, adding that women should play a leading role in the process of electing new set of leaders in Nigeria.
The most populous country in Africa will hold only her presidential and national assembly elections on Saturday, while the gubernatorial and states’ houses’ assemblies elections are scheduled for March 9.
Hajia Idowu-Sanni said, “This is a charge on all Muslim women in Nigeria to go all out on Saturday to participate in the presidential and national assembly elections. As women, we should play a leading role in this coming elections; we must not be laid back.
“I want to believe that we all have our Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Let’s keep them safely and use them on the day of election to vote in the right candidates to paddle the affairs of our country for the next four years.”
FOMWAN, an umbrella body for Muslim women organisations in Nigeria also asked Nigerians to pray for peace during and after the general elections.
According to her, “There is no doubt that as a nation, we are at crossroads and we are about to make an important decision that will impact greatly on our nationhood. It is therefore very important that we be prayerful. We should pray Allah to guide us and grant our nation the best. That Allah should assist whoever emerges in the end in directing the affairs of the country.
Suing for a peaceful exercise, Hajiah Idowu-Sanni also called on Muslim women to warn their children and wards to shun all forms of violence and resist the temptations of being used for disruptions by politicians.
“As we approach the election, I urge that we continue with this peaceful atmosphere. More importantly, as believers, our prayers must include request for peace and harmony during and after the elections.
“Mothers are charged to sensitise their children to shun all forms of violence. Our youths should not allow any politician hoodwink them and recruit them as political thugs to mastermind violence. They must understand that no one’s ambition is worth their lives.
“Muslim women should also mobilise their family members to vote. We should not entertain apathy. Bad leaders emerge as a result of good people who do not vote or participate in the process of electing their leaders. We should vote for the right persons. On behalf of FOMWAN, I wish our country a successful electoral exercise,” she added.
