By Joseph Edegbo
Christian Political leaders within the 19 Northern States have declared that they cannot in all fairness to their consciences and faith, go to their various constituencies to campaign for a Muslim – Muslim ticket
The stance is contained in a communique issued at the end of their meeting in Abuja to deliberate on the Party’s Muslim- Muslim ticket and its implications to the nation
The communique which was signed by Prof. Doknan DB Sheni, Dr. Ishaya G Bauka and Prof. Saidu lbrahim expressed concern over possible mass resignation of high profile members of APC across the country if urgent measures are not taken to redeem the party.
The leaders observed that the selection of a Muslim running mate is a display of crass insensitivity to the complexity of modern Nigeria and the entire Church.
They also see it as a betrayal of the advocates of unity and peaceful co-existence with their Muslim brothers including notable Imams who had forewarned the Party and the candidate from traveling that treacherous route.
The leaders wondered, if the APC which said a Muslim – Muslim ticket would be injurious to the health of the nation in 2015, has radically changed to make Muslim – Muslim ticket good for the health of the nation in 2023.
The communique therefore urged
President Muhammad Buhari
being also the Leader of APC, to intervene in the matter in order to ensure justice, equity and fair play in the nterest of the peace and stability of this great nation and save the party from disintegration.
They expressed the belief that 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 Nigerians as a people.
HEREUNDER IS THE COMMUNIQUE
COMMUNIQUE OF THE MEETING OF CHRISTIAN LEADERS OF
NORTHERN NIGERIA OF THE ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS (APC)
PARTY.
Preamble:
The Christian political leaders within the APC in the nineteen (19) Northern States
met in Abuja on the 11th of July 2022 to deliberate on the issue of the Party’s Muslim- Muslim ticket and its implications to the nation.
The meeting noted with concern the
resignation of some high profile Christians from the APC across the States of the Federation, as a consequence with more to follow unless concerted efforts are made to redeem our Party from hate mongers and those who seek to exploit religion to
perpetuate their self-interests as opposed to national interest.
After extensive deliberations, the meeting came to the following conclusions:
1. That as Christians within the APC, we cannot in all fairness to our consciences and faith go to our various constituencies to campaign for a Muslim – Muslim ticket.
2. That 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.
3. That 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?
4. 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.
5. That 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.
6. That if the APC said a Muslim – Muslim ticket would be injurious to the health of our nation in 2015, has therefore radically changed to make Muslim – Muslim ticket good for the health of our nation in 2023, if we may ask?
7. That the rejection of a Muslim – Muslim ticket by Christians would undermine the electoral fortunes of the APC and its candidates across all States and constituencies where Christians enjoy numerical advantage. By so doing APC has recklessly thrown its Christian candidates under the bus across the nation.
8. That considering the fact that PMB, 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 etc 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 contentrous Muslim in Nigena attempt to sell such patentiy unjust and untair arrangements to the Muslim ummanh in Nigeria?
9. 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.
10. That Mr. President being also the Leader of APC is urged to intervene in this matter in order to ensure justice, equity and fair play in the nterest of the peace and and stability of this great nation and save our party from disintegration. we believe that
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 a people. We can avord the dire political consequences of the contraption called “same faith ticket.
11. 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 cquity.
CONCLUSION
At this moment ot 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 Ngeria.
Signed S1
Prof. Doknan DB Sheni
Signed
Dr. Ishaya G Bauka
Signed
Prof. Saidu lbrahim
