By Abraham Olatunbosun
Christian politicians in the 19 Northern states within the All Progressives Congress (APC) say “we are apprehensive that the person picked (Presidential running mate) might have had a hand in the Chibok girls saga and other terror activities. This was part of their reaction to the choice of Kashim Shettima as the party’s vice-presidential running mate.
They warned the choice of running mate would undermine the election chances of Christian candidates in APC in the various states in the North.
In the communiqué, which was signed by Prof Doknan DD Sheni and General Ishaya G Bauka, Chairman and Secretary respectively, the group argued that the situation of the country now cannot be compared to what it was in 1993 when the people settled for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
They therefore warned of the dire consequences of the Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the 2023 presidential poll.
The party’s presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, had on Sunday announced former Borno Governor, Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Reacting to the choice of the former Governor of Borno State, the group stressed that the country’s unity is of utmost importance and not any other thing.
The group further explained that without unity it would be impossible to build.
According to the communiqué issued at the end of its meeting on Monday night, the Christian politicians in the 19 Northern states within APC, said it would be difficult for them to sell the party candidates to their constituencies.
They added, “The selection of a Muslim vice presidential candidate portrayed insensitivity to the Christians in the nation.
“The fear of the Christians in the North and the nation in general is that the APC party will be viewed as an Islamic party.”
They further argued that if it was not possible in 2015, now is not the best of time to introduce it.
“More so, that we are apprehensive that the person picked might have had a hand in the Chibok girls saga and other terror activities.
“Muslim-Muslim ticket would undermine the election chances of Christian candidates in APC in the various states in the North.
“The Christians in the North and the whole nation are highly aggravated
“Considering that the chairman of the party is a Muslim, deputy chairman north is a Muslim, the president of the senate is a Muslim, the speaker and deputy speaker are Muslims, and now both the presidential and vice-presidential candidates are Muslims and apart from this violating the constitution, section 14, subsection 3, if this was to be reversed that all these were Christians, can any Muslim in the North be able to sell the APC presidential tickets to any Muslim ummah?
The group warned that “If this selection of a Muslim vice-presidential candidate is not changed, there will be serious and grave consequences.”
The group further added, “At this moment of national peril, what should be paramount in Nigeria is UNITY and not infrastructure or economy.
For without unity we cannot build. Any party or candidate that elevates the greed of a few above the needs of the many has no business running the affairs of Nigeria.
