Against the backdrop of the decision of some powerful forces within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) favourable to fielding a Muslim candidate and running mate at the forthcoming Presidential election in 2023, It is pertinent to state that the idea of a Muslim-Muslim ticket is insensitive to Nigeria’s religious polarity and diversity, ill-advised and would do more harm than good to APC’s chance of emerging victorious in the next general election and to our already frayed inter-religous relationship and coexistence.
The argument in certain quarters is the fact that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) fielded the duo of Moshood Abiola and Baba-Gana Kingibe in a Muslim-Muslim Presidential ticket which was widely accepted by a majority of Nigerians, Muslims and Christians. It is however worthy of note that the situation and inter-religous climate of 1993 is quite different from what obtains currently. The prevailing atmosphere of religious disharmony, mutual suspicion and animosity should be taken into due cognizance by the APC and all the political parties to avoid taking decisions that can further heat up the already tensed polity.
The presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already announced a Muslim running mate in person of Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim Masari, whom many believe would be substituted with another in the coming days. In the interest of religious harmony, fairness and the need to give a sense of belonging and justice to Christians in Nigeria, the APC should study the mood of the nation in reaching a final decision on the choice of a running mate. Substituting the name of Alhaji Masari with that of a Christian won’t only enhance religious harmony and foster national peace, it will also put the party in a good position to win the forthcoming Presidential election.
Religion is one of the most sensitive issues in Nigeria today, with Muslims and Christians virtually accusing each other of political marginalization and domination at the expense of the other, this is why we need to be careful not to fan the ember of religious discord and acrimony. The only decision that would bring about inter-religous unity, peace and harmonious relationship in this country is for politicians and political parties to be sensitive to matters concerning religion by ensuring candidates and their running mates from opposite religions emerge. If the APC refuses to do the right thing by ensuring balance and fairnessMuslim-Muslim ticket: Defeat awaits APC
Against the backdrop of the decision of some powerful forces within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) favourable to fielding a Muslim candidate and a Muslim running mate in the forthcoming Presidential election in 2023, It is pertinent to state that the idea Muslim-Muslim ticket is insensitive, ill-advised and would do more harm than good to APC’s chances of emerging victorious in the next general election and to the already frayed inter-religous relationship and coexistence of Nigerians.
The argument in certain quarters is the fact that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) fielded the duo of Moshood Abiola and Baba-Gana Kingibe in a Muslim-Muslim Presidential ticket was worked through with wide acceptance from adherents of Islam and Christianity. It is however worthy of note that the situation and inter-religous climate of 1993 is quite different from what obtains currently. The prevailing atmosphere of religious disharmony, mutual suspicion and animosity should be taken into due cognizance by the APC and all the political parties to avoid taking decisions that can further heat up the already tensed polity.
The presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu already announced a Muslim running mate in person of Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim Masari, whom many believe would be substituted with another in the coming days. In the interest of religious harmony, fairness and the need to give a sense of belonging and justice to both Muslims and Christians in Nigeria, the APC should study the mood of the nation in reaching a final decision on the choice of a running mate. Substituting the name of Alhaji Masari with that of a Christian won’t only enhance religious harmony and foster national peace, it will also put the party in a good position to win the forthcoming Presidential election.
Religion is one of the most sensitive issues in Nigeria today, with Muslims and Christians virtually accusing each other of political marginalization and domination at the expense of the other, this is why we must be careful not to fan the ember of religious discord and distrust. Most families in Nigeria has both Muslims and Christians, the only decision that would bring about inter-religous unity, peace and harmonious relationship in this country is for politicians and political parties to be sensitive to matters concerning religion by ensuring candidates and their running mates from opposite religions emerge. If the APC refuses to do the right thing, defeat awaits the party in 2023.Muslim-Muslim ticket: Defeat awaits APC
Against the backdrop of the decision of some powerful forces within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) favourable to fielding a Muslim candidate and a Muslim running mate in the forthcoming Presidential election in 2023, It is pertinent to state that the idea Muslim-Muslim ticket is insensitive, ill-advised and would do more harm than good to APC’s chances of emerging victorious in the next general election and to the already frayed inter-religous relationship and coexistence of Nigerians.
The argument in certain quarters is the fact that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) fielded the duo of Moshood Abiola and Baba-Gana Kingibe in a Muslim-Muslim Presidential ticket was worked through with wide acceptance from adherents of Islam and Christianity. It is however worthy of note that the situation and inter-religous climate of 1993 is quite different from what obtains currently. The prevailing atmosphere of religious disharmony, mutual suspicion and animosity should be taken into due cognizance by the APC and all the political parties to avoid taking decisions that can further heat up the already tensed polity.
The presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu already announced a Muslim running mate in person of Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim Masari, whom many believe would be substituted with another in the coming days. In the interest of religious harmony, fairness and the need to give a sense of belonging and justice to both Muslims and Christians in Nigeria, the APC should study the mood of the nation in reaching a final decision on the choice of a running mate. Substituting the name of Alhaji Masari with that of a Christian won’t only enhance religious harmony and foster national peace, it will also put the party in a good position to win the forthcoming Presidential election.
Religion is one of the most sensitive issues in Nigeria today, with Muslims and Christians virtually accusing each other of political marginalization and domination at the expense of the other, this is why we must be careful not to fan the ember of religious discord and distrust. Most families in Nigeria has both Muslims and Christians, the only decision that would bring about inter-religous unity, peace and harmonious relationship in this country is for politicians and political parties to be sensitive to matters concerning religion by ensuring candidates and their running mates from opposite religions emerge. If the APC refuses to do the right thing, defeat awaits the party in 2023., defeat awaits the party in 2023.
– Hussain Obaro wrote from Lokoja, Kogi State.
oseniobaro2222@gmail.com
