By Olanrewaju Adesanya
The hues and cries about the All Progressives Congress APC Presidential flagbearer’s eventual decision to settle for a Muslim- muslim ticket has generated a lot of heat in the national polity, to an extent that it is really taking its toll on the country’s unity, as many blocs are issuing bellicose statements on what future holds even as the 2023 general election year comes calling.
Head or tail certain facts on the table indicates a misnomer, while some decide to manage the turf in a diplomatic manner considering the characters at play and the influence they wield, some are bluntly citing the clear desperation the chosen part signals.
Primarily the man who went to town at the nick of time with the (Emilokan) ‘it is my turn’ statement-APC National Leader and presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from all indications certainly knows his onion and this informs some battles he singlehandedly fought, without sounding immodest he sure knows when to strike quite hard, this was responsible for his victory at the APC convention in Abuja on Saturday 26th -27th of March.
The preponderant view of stakeholders in the national polity on the matter has tilted majorly towards having a fairly balanced Nigeria pre and post 2023 elections.
While some feel religious colouration has little or nothing to do with where the next holder of baton hails from, many feel so strongly about the seeming negatives this portends for our national life.
Senator Bola Tinubu whose choice it is to tread the path likened to the Hope 1993 sample, where late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola and Babagana Kingibe, who were Muslims ran on a joint ticket and were widely voted for across the country, devoid of religious sentiment as an historical episode that is likely to be re-enacted in 2023 general elections with Tinubu/ Kassim Shettima’s blend.
However, many have argued against this match-making on the basis that it is no longer fashionable, owing to the fact that General Mohammadu Buhari, held sway for eight years had Muslim/ Christian blend with clear understanding of the need to satiate major religious sensibilities.
Given the targeted attacks on churches in recent times especially in the northern states, a ugly development which is gradually filtering into the southern states many hold the narrative that all is not well with the perceived attempt to obliterate the Christian faith.
Hon. Tobun Abiodun a ranking member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Epe 1 constituency in a recent chat noted that the issue of religious consideration is nothing but mere sentiment that should be toned down in our national political reasoning.
“To me, at this crucial time, at this stage in Nigeria, the issue of Muslim-Muslim, Christian-Christian or Muslim-Christian is mere sentiments, I don’t think we have religious colouration in our constitution.
“We don’t have tribal colouration in our constitution also. We said the presidency should come to the south now based on our internal arrangement in the APC not because of anything.
“That is why we are commending northern progressive governors for socially conceding the presidency to the south west. So Muslim-Muslim ticket has nothing to do with governance, we must look for the best candidate.
“We cannot afford to present someone who is not dynamic. The essence of Muslim-Christian ticket is to protect the interest of Christians, is the wife of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu not a Christian? We want the people that can do the job. American President, Joe Biden is a Christian and his vice is also a Christian.
“Are you telling me that mosques have not been attacked? Mosques have been attacked severally, worshippers were killed as they were praying, we are talking about insecurity. That is where we are missing it. What is happening is insecurity.
The former Deputy Whip of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Omotayo Aramide Oduntan, while giving her candid view about the debate on religious sensibilities in the blend notes that it is a no brainer, in that capacity remains the most desired factor for leadership at this point of our national life.
“How many religions do we have in the country? So nobody is talking about the other religions now but about the Muslim/Christian, are those the only two religion we have in the country and who has that religion helped?
“What they should demand for is good governance, good development, the government that will cater to the yearnings of the people. Is what we should clamour for not for Christian or Muslim.
“I am a Christian but all I want is development, good road, good health facilities, good schools for my children those are the things we should be clamouring for, not Christian …
“I just want good things for the people, whether you are Muslim or Christian, my father was a Christian, his sisters were Muslims but this days for our own convenience, we segregate and say this is a Christian.
“My heartfelt prayers is that the Lord give us a very good government that would cater for the masses, that would have the interest of the masses at heart.
“ That is why I personally -Omotayo Oduntan would say let Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu become president knowing his antecedents, I know when he gets there, I mean Asiwaju and Senator Kassim Shettima, they are a very good combination.
“I am praying and I would work for them and pray that God should let them be victorious as President and Vice President at the end of the day. We cannot afford not to ensure that becomes a reality.”
For Honourable Olayiwola Olawale Abdulsubor fondly called ‘Omititi’, who is the incumbent house of Assembly member representing Mushin 2 constituency, the Muslim-muslim argument is needless in that like the ‘Hope 1993’ sample: competence, personality of those holding the joint ticket was the key factors not religious sentiment.
According to Olawale politics remains a game of numbers, “so Asiwaju settling for Senator Kassim Shettima can’t be divorced from political calculation aimed at catching a large chunk of northerners as only three out of the 19 northern states Governors are Christians.
“ Also Atiku’s factor need be consciously handled to avoid sympathy vote, the like of what incumbent President Mohammadu Buhari enjoyed, he need be silenced in his home front. In North East, Shettima is a factor and the adequate electoral compensation that will attract could be best imagined, while the North Central and North West will pay off quite well. So the Asiwaju/Shettima blend is a perfect match, religious sentiment need be jettisoned at this point in our polity.
Also speaking to the issue, Otunba Segun Adewale the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos West Senatorial District standard flagbearer notes that this only speaks volume about Tinubu’s desperation for power.
According to Segun Adewale fondly called ‘Aeroland’ all odds are against him, that informs why he is banking on the religious sentiment to garner much votes especially amidst the Fulani bloc.
Tinubu is a desperate politician, all he wants is to win election. He doesn’t care about equity,fairness,justice and unity. All he want is to have power and that is what you see in Lagos today, that is the reason why some of us cannot join APC.
He doesn’t give power to people that merit it. Once you are loyal, whether your performance is good or not he doesn’t care, that is why you have a hooligan being given responsibilities in Lagos State.
So the only way he can break the north is by using religion. The northerners especially Fulani’s are very religious, so he knew that he can’t win the election, if the ticket have been given to Professor Yemi Osinbajo PYO then it would have been very easy for them to win the election because of the Christians especially the PFN,Redeemed and the rest.
I am sure they will all vote enmasse for APC and the party would have showed balance, there perception will be that this party respects different religion as enshrined in our constitution, but Tinubu just want to get power, he doesn’t care that is why the party is in disarray no integrity.
His inordinate ambition will destroy the party, the way I see it now because a lot of people will leave the party especially in the South. As a leader you might not be destined to be the king, but might be the king maker and that is the calling of Tinubu as I see it.
He is a king maker so religion was a bait, he choose to use to get the ticket . To whether he uses religion or not, he would fail because he is frail not strong like before so how is he going to cope with rigour of campaigns?
Comrade Alex Omotehinse the National President of Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) in a recent reaction on the Muslim-muslim ticket issue, note that it was rather a distractive antic deliberately skewed by the players to change the narrative and whip up sentiments in their favour.
He maintained that majorly capacity and mapped out masterplan to rejig and retool Nigeria, should rule public discourse, not religious sentiments.
According to him it does not really matter what religion, tribe or ethnicity one belongs, what is most important is delivery.
“It is a way of diverting the attention of Nigerians, religion is really not an issue, but they’ve brought in religion, ethnicity and tribalism into politics.
If you are Christian or a Muslim once you assume that position, you are no longer representing your religion, you are representing the interest of Nigeria but this Buhari’s emergence in 2014 brought in religion and ethnicity, he actually won the election on serious religious propaganda and ethnicity.
The Redeemed Church practically became a campaign ground for all redeemed because Osibanjo is Vice Presidential candidate, all the Muslims now feel with Buhari, it is their turn for Muslims to take over because Jonathan was Christian.
“It is not supposed to be an issue, whoever is supposed to be a President and Vice President, whether religion, ethnicity and all that does not matter to me,all I want is good governance.
“Let’s face the issue, do your campaigns tell Nigerians what you want to do,your plan for them in term of education,agriculture,health,transportation etc.
Ambassador Princess Kolawole a member of Christian Youths in Politics (CYP) Board of Trustees (BoT) in her short submission on the matter, notes that the Muslim-muslim ticket idea muted by one of the contending party’s for the presidency seat assaults the sensitive nature of the matter, as the Muslims have clearly taken the lead in governance all the while, a development CYP is out to actively address.
Politics in itself is a game. Tactics, techniques, and compromises are applied by even the most righteous to achieve the goal of success and power.
This being a common knowledge. In this era of democracy, a form of government that revolves around the people, inclusivity in politics is very crucial and much revered, especially in a polarized and diverse setting.
Our country, Nigeria is a typical example of such setting. With our diverse ethnicities and religions, we appreciate people we put into power respecting such differences, and practising inclusiveness and equality in their government.
Therefore, it is very much appalling that the candidacies of the ruling party have ignorantly and negligently boycotted such practice right from the very start, regardless of their capabilities or experiences.
CYP was founded on the grounds of tackling the little-to-no participation of Christians in politics, compared to our Muslim brethren, who have been major players and stakeholders in the nation’s politics over the years.
The goal has been to improve Christian political activity. And a Muslim-Muslim ticket is a massive blow and disregard to such.
We thus are against this, and in no way support the Muslim-Muslim ticket. As it is a major prefiguration of much worse exclusivity to come if they get hold of power.
