2023-05-25 19:10:00
The inauguration of the new president of the Nigeria worries Christians living in the African country. This is because Bola Tinubu, declared the winner of the 2023 presidential race, inherits a country already marked by deep religious crises. According to the NGO International Christian Concern (ICC), an organization that works on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world, Tinubu’s predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, did little to reduce religious violence in Nigeria during his two terms in office. On the contrary, during his rule the persecution of Nigerian Christians increased significantly.
With Tinubu’s victory in February 2023, tensions in Nigeria increased. International observers suspect fraud in the Nigerian electoral process. Observers told ICC: “The elections fell far short of the legitimate and reasonable expectations of Nigerian citizens. A substantial number of citizens were barred from participating in the poll.”
The new Nigerian president abandoned the tradition of presidential candidates choosing a running mate who professes a different faith (in the African country, Christians make up 46% and Muslims, 53% of the population). Tinubu, who follows Islam, chose Muslim Kashim Shettima as his right-hand man. Decision subject to harsh criticism by non-Muslim leaders, who denounced the flagrant marginalization of their interests.
Violence
The election of the new president takes place in the midst of religious violence that is plaguing several regions of Nigeria, mainly the central and northern areas of the country, where terrorist groups, such as the Islamic radical Boko Haram, are active. The new president has the challenge of appeasing the country, combating religious persecution; because, as international observers point out, if there is no peace, it will be impossible to combat many of the African nation’s chronic problems, such as hunger and extreme poverty.
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