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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babchir Lawal, has said the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would be resisted with prayers and votes.
Lawal said this at the APC northern Christian leaders summit, on Friday.
According to him, since the Muslim-Muslim ticket for the presidency was divisive, it must be rejected by all patriotic Nigerians.
Lawal, who had earlier condemned Tinubu and APC for fielding same faith ticket, said: “Clearly, there is an agenda to politically, religiously, and economically suppress and oppress the northern Christian. But we are up to the task.
“We will protect ourselves. The PVC and our prayers will be our weapons of choice and we will massively deploy them in 2023.”
Lawal said the agenda of the Muslim-Muslim ticket is just unfolding, adding that Christians will resist it.
“The main purpose of this historical narrative is to let you know that for the APC, a Muslim-Muslim ticket has been a long-term political strategy and not a one-off decision. Thus, all this talk of competence as the reason for the choice of the Muslim VP is balderdash and diversionary. This is a calculated anti-Christian exclusion agenda that is being implemented.
“One might ask: why is the APC itself mute about our rejection of this Muslim-Muslim ticket? And why has none of the other perpetrators of this crisis reached out to Christians for a dialogue? Why are they instead hiring fake Bishops and taking church groups to further embarrass the church? Why are they embarking on a vicious media war against CAN and the church instead of seeking reconciliation? Truly, things are not adding up.
“We see this ticket as an assent to the current and continuing educational, economic and political marginalisation of the northern Nigerian Christians.
“This scenario is what we find in all agencies of governments in the North. Therefore, we view this Muslim-Muslim ticket as an extension of this practice of exclusion to the uppermost level of government.
“Christians all over the country see this Muslim-Muslim ticket as a deliberate and premeditated attempt to introduce and firmly entrench religion into the politics of this country. This, of course, will lead to further disharmony in the hitherto fragile coexistence of the Nigerian society, disrupt peace and hamper both social and economic development of the country.
“Our opposition has some historical basis. There were times in the past when Christians produced the Deputy Governors in Kebbi, Niger and Kaduna states. Now, it is wholly Muslim-Muslim tickets.
“It is worth noting that all these are happening in the APC-controlled states. They are threatening to do likewise in Gombe, Kogi and Adamawa states.
“It is also now a recurring practice in the North whereby any Christian traditional ruler that dies is replaced with a Muslim Prince, albeit from the ruling family even if the most qualified and preferred prince is a Christian. The recent case of Billiri Chiefdom in Gombe State is still fresh in our minds.
“Proof of its anti-Christian agenda is that our party itself has completely eliminated Northern Christians from its NWC (National Working Committee) and NEC (National Executive Committee). All our protestations as party members have been completely ignored by the party leadership.
“But as members of the APC, we have the right to continue to express our indignation at these happenings and will not give up until we secure the justice that is due us.
“The main purpose of this historical narrative is to let you know that for the APC, a Muslim-Muslim ticket has been a long-term political strategy and not a one-off decision. Thus, all this talk of competence as the reason for the choice of the Muslim VP are balderdash and diversionary. This is a calculated anti-Christian exclusion agenda that is being implemented.
“But while we are ready to battle this politics of exclusion and oppression, we are open to discussions with any one who wants to engage with us in good faith,” the former SGF said.
Tinubu, APC made fatal error-Dogara
Also, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has kicked against the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the APC.
Dogara conveyed his displeasure on Friday at the APC Northern Christian Leaders Summit.
Speaking at the APC northern Christian leaders summit, Dogara said it is hogwash to assert that no Christian is competent to be Tinubu’s running mate.
The former speaker said the ticket would create disunity in the party and the country at large.
He described Tinubu’s decision as a “fatal error of judgement.”
“I do not want to speak to the argument that there is no Christian competent enough to be vice-president because as we all know, that is hogwash.
“As long as God remains the God of justice, may we continue to resist injustice to our sinews, no matter who is for or against it because it is the requirement of the just God.
“Let us go out from this summit with the resolve to seek out our Muslim brothers and sisters who believe in unifying our people in order to usher in the much need peace and advancement for Nigeria to unleash her true potentials.
“I am sure we will jointly agree on a platform that would advance our collective search for unity, peace and development. Believe me, the only alternative is the road to Yugoslavia.
“God forbid! If we want to see Nigeria exalted, we must insist she does the right things,” he said.