From Victor Osula, Abuja
Christian political leaders within the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 19 states in the North have revolted against the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the party for the 2023 general election.
Rising from a meeting on the ticket, they faulted the party’s choice as a flagrant insensitivity to the feelings of majority of Christians in the North, saying that the choice would make it hard for them to campaign in their constituents.
“As Christians within the APC, we cannot in all fairness to our conscience and faith go to our various constituencies to campaign the Muslim-Muslim ticket.”
They argued that Nigeria is a multi-religious and constitutional democracy and not a theocracy with religion as a major fault line which can be whimsically manipulated without dire consequences. According to them, the explanation that the same ticket was presented by MKO Abiola in 1993 was insufficient reason to embrace it now at this time in the country because “the current Nigerian environment and political atmosphere is different form what occurred in 1993 and therefor a Muslim-Muslim ticket is unacceptable.”
In a communique signed by Professors Dokna Sheni, Saidu Ibrahim and Dr.Ishaya Bauka, the party leaders further stated, among others, that “the selection of a Muslim running mate is a display of crass insensitivity to the complexity of modern Nigeria and the Church. It is also a betrayal of the apostles of unity and peaceful co-existence with our Muslim brothers including notable Imams who has forewarned the party and the candidate from traveling that treacherous path.”
“If the APC said that the choice of Muslim-Muslim ticket was injurious to the health of our nation in 2015, what has therefore radically changed to make the choice of a Muslim-Muslim ticket good for the health of our nation in 2023, if we may ask?”
Citing relevant portions of the APC constitution which make for “mutual and peaceful co-existence, respect and understanding, eliminating all forms of social injustice among Nigerians,” they called on President Buhari to intervene and save the party from trading away its electoral fortunes in the upcoming general election.
“At this moment of national peril, we believe what should be paramount in Nigeria is unity. For without unity we cannot build. Any political party or candidate that elevates the greed of a few people above the needs of the generality of the people has no business running the affairs of Nigeria.”
