‘Religion Cannot Always Determine Our Path,’ Tinubu Speaks About Muslim-Muslim Ticket As Opposition Grows

metro

2 years ago

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has explained the reason for his decision to pick a Muslim as his running mate in the forthcoming general elections.

Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State and chieftain of the ruling party, had announced a former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, as the APC vice-presidential candidate.

But the choice has sparked a lot of reactions with some governors under the platform of the party expressing anger and promising to register their anger with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Aside the governors, Senator Abbo, from Adamawa, who was on some of the Tinubu support groups and committees, sent out a a scathing message, in which he expressed his disappointment in Tinubu, for going against popular counsel to choose a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Abbo, who promised to formally send in his resignation letters today, said if as an ordinary citizen, Tinubu has refused to listen to counsel, then, he would be worse as president and subsequently resigned his membership of all the committees.

On Sunday night, another top member of the party, Daniel Bwala resigned over the ‘Muslim-Muslim’ ticket saga.

Bwala wrote on social media; “Tonight, I officially resigned my membership of @OfficialAPCng on principles and conviction that I hold so dear.

Speaking on Channels Television ‘Morning Rise’ program on Monday, Bwala said his action is purely based on principle, adding thst this is inspite of ‘cut out promises of appointment for me by the party’s presidential candidate’.

He added tha at this time of our national existence, our efforts and energy should rather be toward uniting our people.

Tinubu’s choice also did not go down well with the christian community in the country as well as some opinion leaders.

But, the APC standard-bearer, in his reaction, believes the challenges facing Nigeria require placing competence in governance above religious sentiments.

“Religion, ethnicity, and region cannot always and fully determine our path,” he was quoted as saying in a statement on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, a spokesman for the Tinubu Campaign Organisation.

“To forge ahead as a nation towards development and prosperity, we must break free of old binds. We must recalibrate our political calculations to where competence and fairness matter, more than reducible demographics.”

According to the statement, Tinubu expressed his absolute respect and regard for both the Christian and Muslim faiths in the country.

He stated that by his selection, he was not oblivious of the religious and ethnic sensitivities of the nation but made the choice in the overriding interest of the country.

“I am mindful of the energetic discourse concerning the possible religion of my running mate,” the APC flagbearer said. “Just and noble people have talked to me about this; some have counselled that I should select a Christian to please the Christian community, others said I should pick a Muslim to appeal to the Muslim community. Clearly, I cannot do both.

“Both sides of the debate have impressive reason and passionate arguments supporting their position. Both arguments are right in their own way. But neither is right in the way that Nigeria needs at the moment.”

Tinubu added, “As President, I hope to govern this country towards uncommon progress. This will require innovation. It will require steps never taken. It will also require decisions that are politically difficult and rare.

“May I say this to all of you, especially those disappointed in my selection based on religious considerations. I will not and cannot ignore the religious concerns and ethnic sensitivities of our people. Taking them into due consideration is an important part of good and able governance.”

But some analysts see Tinubu’s explanation as creating more problems for him.

“His comment amounts to self delusion and the fact that his conclusion is that there’s no competent person from the Christian community in the North. This is unfortunate, “ says an analyst who pleaded for anonymity.

ALSO READ:Tinubu Picks Ex-Borno Governor Shettima As Running Mate

To another analyst, “APC’s action or inaction should not bother anybody as there are alternatives to APC.

“The most annoying thing is that Tinubu is creating an impression as if APC is planning to succeed another party in power hence the need to bring the much needed changes.

“He should be reminded that we heard same story in 2014/15 and 2019 and in a serious clime, he should be hiding his face.“