A socio-cultural group in Plateau State, has discribed the emergence and insistence of a Muslim-Muslim ticket by the All Progressives Congress APC, as one that negates the spirit of national unity and cohesion in Nigeria.
The group ‘Plateau Our Heritage’ made this assertion through a statement issued and signed by it’s Chairman, Alexander Yolah Kwapnoe, following the recent announcement of a Muslim-Muslim ticket by the rulling All Progressives Congress APC Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who selected Sen. Shettima as his running mate.
The statement reads:
MUSLIM-MUSLIM TICKET NEGATES SPIRIT OF NATIONAL UNITY AND COHESION – *POHRI*
With the 2023 general elections underway and political parties making frantic efforts to meet up with the deadlines for the submission of Candidates and running Mates in the case of Governorship and Presidential Candidates, it is important that we bare the minds of the generality of our group and majority of the people of Plateau state on the recent choice of the running mate by the Candidate of one of the political parties particularly the ruling Party APC.
While as a Group, we place emphasis on credibility, competence, character and capacity, equity, fairness and justice, in no way will we fold our arms and watch the unity and cohesion of Nigeria being jettisoned by people who ought to understand the implications of certain political decisions considering the fragility of the Nigerian State at this point in time withthe level of suspicion, extremism, gangsterism and cry of marginalization by persons/groups, sections and zones of the Country.
It becomes pertinent for us as a group to loudly add our voice to the call by well-meaning Nigerians who are prevailing on the APC and and its Presidential Candidate who is a Muslim from the Southern part of Nigeria to revisit their decision and do what can be endorsed.
The Muslim-Muslim Ticket by the APC has generated heated debate that is already causing disaffection among Nigerians.
The decision to have Muslim-Muslim Ticket is clearly not taken to reflect National unity/cohesion and if that is allowed then the propensity to have persons and groups being disenchanted is high and that will pave way for suspicion and other unhealthy disposition across the country.
It is therefore instructive to address this issue and give a sense of belonging to all in Nigeria. It is also embarrassing to give an impression that there are no qualified, competent and credible persons in Northern Nigeria that can fit into the equation when we have millions in who are well equipped in Northern Nigeria that are not Muslims but very prepared and ready to serve in any capacity including Presidency other than Muslims.
The Muslim-Muslim Ticket to us is an insult to the other Northern Nigerians who have been contributing their quota to National growth and development. It is unacceptable and the peak of insensitivity if such is allowed to continue.
We want to call on all reasonable Nigerians to question very strongly any Candidate or party that is not considering the unity, oneness and the togetherness of Nigeria in its political decision.
It is important also to note that Nigeria being a secular State is not therefore for a single religion and no religion should pride itself of having the monopoly of competence and credibility.
What would have happened if a Christian was the Standard Flag Bearer of the APC and picked another Christian as running Mate?
The unity and peace of Nigeria is our concern and we will not support anything that will tamper with same.
Finally, if nothing is done to address the issue raised, we call on well-meaning Nigerians to vote for Candidates and Parties that have demonstrated that the unity of Nigeria and the people is their priority since other options that are in tandem with national cohesion and respect for its people abound, that is the beauty of plurality of democracy.
Thank you and God bless.
Alexander Yolah Kwapnoe
Chairman, POHri
Cmr. Friday Bako
Secretary, POHri