By Pamel Eboh
The Christian community in Nigeria has condemned the choice of a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election as chosen by the All Progressives Congress, APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu had on Sunday in the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State anoounced former Borno State governor, Senator Kashim Shettima, a fellow Muslim as his running mate for APC ticket.
The Christian community is of the view that a Christian should have been picked as a running by the ruling party, APC for the sake of balance.
In his reaction, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, described the choice of APC Muslim-Muslim ticket as unfortunate.
He maintained that Nigeria as a country is not ripe for a same faith Presidential ticket.
Kaigama said, “When you decide that only one religion will produce the major actors, excluding others who will become like strangers, it would not be fair and just. For the sake of religious sensitivity in a place like Nigeria, it is good that we have a balance so that we become like one big family.”
On his part, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev Hassan Kukah said it was up to Nigerians to decide if they want a Muslim-Muslim Nigerian leadership or not in 2023.
His words, “This is what you call team selection and everybody will choose depending on what they think will give them a fair chance. So, people will take responsibility for the choices they have made. For me, it is not something to lose sleep over.
“If people feel unhappy with the kind of choices that have been made, that is why we are democrats, you can’t force it. We outsiders cannot force a choice of any candidate.
“It is now left for you to look at the choices that have been made. And there is no guarantee that all Christians will vote for Christians and all Muslims will vote for Muslims.”
The Director of Social Communication, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev Fr. Mike Umoh, described the ‘Muslim-Muslim’ ticket as ‘Insensitive, saying, “We have made our stance and made it clear, Muslim/Muslim ticket doesn’t make sense; it is unhealthy and insensitive for now.”
Tinubus’s announcement of Shettima as his running mate on Sunday has put to rest the long rumour of a Muslim/Muslim ticket for APC.
