Tinubu’s choice of muslim as running mate is plot to islamise Nigeria, says Christian group

The Christians under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) have raised alarm that, the Muslim-Muslim ticket for the presidential race by the party was a plot to islamise Nigeria, stressing that those interested in hatching the plan are hate mongers  who seek to exploit religion to perpetuate their self-interests as opposed to national interest.

Penpushing reports that, the body which comprises political leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 19 Northern States made the observation in a communique issued at the end of the meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

‘The APC has always come under the suspicion of the Church as pursuing an islamization agenda. Hence the various labels of the APC as: Islamic Movement, Islamic brotherhood, janjaweed party, Boko Haram party etc, etc. Now with all the positions in the hands of our Muslim brothers, it would take ingenious mendacity to prove otherwise’, the communique stated.

Penpushing further reports that, the meeting noted with concern the resignation of some high profile Christians from the party across the country, as a consequence with more to follow unless concerted efforts are made to redeem the party from hate mongers.

The communique jointly signed by Prof. Doknan Sheni, Dr. Ishaya  Bauka and Prof. Saidu lbrahim explained that after extensive deliberations, the Christians within the party declared that they cannot in all fairness to their  consciences and faith go to their  various constituencies to campaign for a Muslim – Muslim ticket.

‘Nigeria is a multi-religious and a constitutional democracy and NOT a theocracy with religion as a major national fault line which cannot be whimsically manipulated without dire political consequences on our peaceful co-existence as a people’, the group emphasised.

‘The current Nigerian environment and political atmosphere of the nation is different from what occurred in 1993 and therefore a Muslim – Muslim ticket is unacceptable. It doesn’t take the smart to know that the Abiola/Kingibe victory in 1993 turned out to be a pyrrhic victory as there was never a President Abiola nor Vice President Kingibe. Is that what we want a repeat of in 2023?’

‘The selection of a Muslim running mate is a display of crass insensitivity to the complexity of modern Nigeria and the entire Church. It is also a betrayal of the advocates of unity and peaceful co-existence with our Muslim brothers including notable Imams who had forewarned the party and the candidate from traveling that treacherous route’.

‘If the APC said a Muslim – Muslim ticket would be injurious to the health of our nation in 2015, has that situation therefore radically changed to make Muslim – Muslim ticket good for the health of our nation in 2023, if we may ask?’, the body queried

Penpushing also reports that, the communique pointed out that the rejection of a Muslim – Muslim ticket by Christians would undermine the electoral fortunes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates across all states and constituencies where Christians enjoy numerical advantage.

The communique added that, by so doing All Progressives Congress (APC) has recklessly thrown its Christian candidates under the bus across the nation, arguing that considering the fact that President Muhammed Buhari, the chairman or the party, deputy Chairman North, President of Senate ,the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, and now both the presidential candidate and his running mate are all Muslims

‘And assuming that such lopsidedness does not violate S.14 (3) ot the Constitution, if this was to be reversed so that all these were Christians, Can any contentious Muslim in Nigeria attempt to sell such patently unjust and unfair arrangements to the Muslim Ummanh in Nigeria?’

‘The APC party constitution preamble states “will guarantee equal opportunity for all mutual and peaceful co-existence respect and understanding, eliminating all forms of discrimination and social Injustice among Nigerians. The Muslim-Muslim ticket appears to have violated this provision’.

Penpushing reports the Christian members of the party noted that, Buhari  being also the leader of the party  is urged to intervene in this matter in order to ensure justice, equity and fair play in the interest of the peace and stability of the country and save the

‘PMB who fought to keep Nigeria one, will not allow fanatics on both sides to wreak havoc on what remains of the tapestry that binds us as a people. We can avoid the dire political consequences of the contraption called “same faith ticket’.

‘We are disheartened that someone who wants to be a leader for all sections of the country is resorting to religious exclusivism as a tool for winning an election. This will certainly result in a massive revolt against the party. Leadership is all about inclusiveness, justice and equity’.

‘At this moment of national peril, we believe that 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 need of generality of the people has no business running the affairs of Nigeria’, the communique emphasised.

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