Since the standard-bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, announced his running mate, for the upcoming 2023 general elections, in the person of Kashim Shettima, former Governor of Borno State, there have been torrents of criticisms on the choice of Shettima, who is also a Muslim like Tinubu. The implication is that, APC, the party currently at the centre will be running a Muslim – Muslim ticket in next year’s presidential election, against the wishes of a majority of Nigerians, especially Christians who expected otherwise.
The Catholic Herald Weekly newspaper also on its regular editorial column had advised the federal government under the APC to jettison the idea of same faith ticket considering the fact that Nigeria is a secular state, whose fault lines have deepened along the religious divides which is visible and can be felt everywhere. Before now also, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), had warned on the grave danger of fielding candidates of same faith, especially the presidential ticket, now that the country is almost at a boiling point, owing to the prevailing state of insecurity traceable to religious fundamentalists that are fighting hard to blot out western education with the erroneous belief that it hurts the Islamic faith and are seriously pushing to establish their own Caliphate, where Sharia laws would reign supreme. Beyond choosing a Christian as the vice presidential candidate for the ruling APC from the Northern part of the country as advised by CAN and other concerned groups, and without undermining Islam and its adherents, the contention now is that, the man Shettima, so chosen by Asiwaju Tinubu shows that APC is insensitive to the seeming religious differences that have become more pronounced under the President Muhammadu Buhari government.
Again, the unity of the country should be considered in picking Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate in a nation currently faced with all manners of insurgencies, within and outside its territory. That the members of APC and close allies of Asiwaju Tinubu are busy explaining to Nigerians on the media space on the choice of Kashim Shettima, premised on the so-called loyalty rather than on competence shows that something is really wrong somewhere and that the choice of Shettima is not a popular one indeed. For several years, Nigeria has remained embattled, owing to security problems essentially. But unfortunately, a party in government which should know better, where the problems are coming from, appears to have thrown caution to the wind.
The question therefore is; why should Shettima, whose record shows that he has been seriously indicted on many issues surrounding the Boko Haram menace be appointed by Tinubu as his running mate? Why did APC not listen to the clarion calls of CAN and other religious groups on the selection of a Northern Christian for the position of a Vice President? Does it mean that there is no qualified Northern Christian capable of manning the VP slot? Could it be said that some highly placed individuals in government want the security problems in the country to continue even after the tenure of this present regime? Can it also be said that CAN, the umbrella body of all Christians in Nigeria, and the lives of the members are so insignificant that its voice cannot be heard and obeyed? The long and short of this development is that, those who made this choice did not think about the progress of the country first, and do not also have regards for the Christian faith and millions of her adherents’, surprisingly.
The APC presidential candidate is known for his political sagacity but in this case, he did not realise firstly that you must have a country before you talk about political party. It shows indeed that he is not comfortable having Christians around him. The ruling party simply put, has disappointed Christians and further heightened the tension and suspicion of the people regarding where the country is actually heading to. The present glaring crisis and killings across the state is enough to teach the political class some serious lessons but with the Muslim – Muslim ticket of APC, this unknowingly may have given credence if not tacit endorsement to so many voices that see Nigeria as an expired entity which can cave in anytime, owing to injustice and high handedness running riot in the country.
The same faith ticket which APC appears not to be bothered about as Nigerians look forward to 2023 general elections, is an affront to the provisions of the Constitution of 1999 as amended, which clearly talks about fairness and equity between the Northern and Southern divides, to say the least, and stands to test the will of the people as the country inches towards the general elections next year. In pursuit of peace, Nigeria should be seen working towards that path and not saying one thing and doing another. The 2023 presidential election holds a lot for the future of the country. People are tired and our ears are full. Each day brings fear and apprehension due to the inordinate ambition of the political class. It’s a shame that the citizens have been alienated from what is their own God given country by the so called ”clique.’ We hereby call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC), to be vigilant and to also bear in mind that, the impending 2023 general elections holds a lot for Nigerians.
It is no more news that some parties believe in vote buying while others thrive on other anti electoral practices that seek to discredit our electoral processes. Nigeria has had too many troubles due to the overheating of polity whereby those who did not win elections eventually find themselves in positions of authority. While we hope that the commission would live above board in the conduct of 2023 general elections, we want to caution that there should be level playing field for all political parties, especially the front runners: APC, PDP and the Labour Party. Let the works of these parties and their messages for Nigerians speak for them. Let those who deserve Nigerians votes have it when the time comes. Thank God for the introduction of electronic voting machines that may replace the ballot boxes that were easily snatched and stuffed with ballot papers in the past by desperate politicians.
