BY EDMOND ODOK – Amid growing speculations of a major political party floating a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 general elections, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has warned against actions that will inflame Nigerians and further highlight the existing fault lines in the country.
For the umpteenth time, the Christian umbrella body is cautioning the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties to resist the temptation to fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket as such could set the nation against each other.
Sounding the note of warning at the interdenominational Church service to mark the 2022 Democracy Day at the National Christian Centre, Abuja on Sunday, the CAN National President Dr Samson Ayokunle, said such a step would spell disaster for the nation’s unity.
Dr Ayokunle spoke against the backdrop of speculations that the APC’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, may settle for a Muslim-Muslim ticket, because the party is finding it difficulty to select a Northern Christian with the capacity to boost its chances in the 2023 general elections
According to the CAN President, represented by the Founder of Sword of The Spirit Ministries International, Bishop Francis Wale-Oke, having a presidential candidate and the running mate from the same religion would not augur well for the country as things are presently.
Dr Ayokunle, who spoke on the theme ‘More than Conquerors,’ said any party that wishes to produce the next president must not undermine the Christian community, adding; “While I congratulate the candidates, I must sound this warning, please do not fly a Muslim-Muslim ticket. It would not fly. It will not stand. Rather, it would set the nation against each other.
“The candidate who will emerge is the one who works with the Church. Please, do not alienate the church. If you embrace equity, fairness and justice, the Nigerian electorate will reward you with their votes at the polls and they will give you their support.”
He decried a situation where there is no fairness and equity in distributing political power, especially where certain region is being deprived the opportunity to produce the president, saying; “There is no fairness if a certain people from a certain ethnic group are reduced to second class citizens who cannot aspire to the highest office in the land.”
Furthermore, the CAN Boss, while challenging all candidates to exalt righteousness in their respective campaigns in the country’s overall interest, said; “You can only rule when there is a nation. In your campaigns, make sure you exalt fairness, justice and equity. If there is no righteousness, fairness and equity, we will remain divided.
“We pray for an end to killing people in their place of worship. We pray for a nation that is united and where justice, fairness and equity reigns. God bless you all and God bless Nigeria.”
The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai had recently stoke controversies by saying the issue of religion would not be a criterion in determining the running mate of the APC’s presidential candidate and there is nothing wrong with floating Muslim-Muslim ticket for next year’s polls.
The Sunday service was attended by many dignitaries including Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, who represented Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Representative of the Senate President and Speaker House of Representatives, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Deputy Chief Whip of the Federal House of Representatives; Minister of Women Affairs and former Senatorial Aspirant of the APC, Paulen Tallen; President of the Court of Appeal represented by Justice H.S Samani, and Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, as well as Permanent Secretaries, Ministries of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Water Resources; Police Affairs; and Civil Service Commission.
Also in attendance were the Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor; Representatives of the Chief of Air Staff, Major General A.B Omozoje; Representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral J.B Basan; Inspector General of Police, DIG Johnson Kokumo; Chief of Defense Intelligence, Major General SA Adebayo; Heads of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigeria Immigration Service, National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Country Director, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Walter Mulombo.
Other personalities who graced the event included the Chaplain of the Aso Rock Chapel, Seyi Malomo, many clergy men and women, Ambassadors of Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Jamaica and Venezuela
