Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports.
Prince Preye Aganaba, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, has expressed displeasure with the inflammatory and extreme views expressed by Babachir Lawal, the APC’s same faith presidential ticket’s former Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF).
Aganaba, the prince of Odi Kingdom, said Lawal crossed the line of responsibility expected of him as an elder and delved into the arena of scaremongering, dissipating his energy promoting unfounded fears capable of further dividing the country, while speaking to APC party faithful in Yenagoa on Friday.
Lawal, a Christian, should have known better, according to Aganaba, and followed in the footsteps of opposition political leaders who incited similar religious sentiments against President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2015 and 2019 general elections.
“This is the same Lawal who, as Secretary General, was unable to balance political appointments within the APC and across geopolitical zones, resulting in widespread criticism of the President.”
“We recall the opposition’s claim that, despite having a Christian Vice President, Buhari would Islamize Nigeria.” Buhari has been in power for more than seven years. Is he a Nigerian Muslim convert? No, it does not. The Boko Haram insurgents are widely regarded as everyone’s adversary. More Muslims have been killed by these terrorists than Christians.
“The truth is that no one has the ability to Islamize Nigeria.” Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC’s Presidential Candidate, has a track record of tolerance, inclusiveness, and liberalism.
“In his political career, Tinubu has never expressed extreme religious views on any issue.” Kashim Shettima, his running mate and former governor of Borno State, has proven to be a fine gentleman over the years, running an all-inclusive government that accommodated all religions, as attested to by the Christian community in that State.”
Aganaba stated that the APC’s Muslim/Muslim ticket was not cause for concern, aside from playing hate politics.
According to the former governorship candidate, Tinubu’s choice of Shettima was a masterstroke that added to the confusion in the opposition camp, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“The decision between Shettima and another strong Muslim northern politician was a difficult one that the PDP and its allies expected Tinubu and the APC to avoid,” he said. They prayed against it because they knew it would devastate all of their northern plans and calculations.
“However, they were disappointed that the APC’s presidential candidate, governors, and other party leaders had the courage to make such a difficult decision.” The PDP has gone to court to have Shettima barred from serving as Tinubu’s running mate. They are terrified.
“It is now clear that the PDP has resorted to religious politics because they are aware that Shettima’s selection has destroyed the area they thought would be a stronghold for them.”
“The general public should be aware that Shettima was chosen to assist the APC in winning the upcoming election due to his strong political character and other qualifications.” Party men should be evaluated based on their contributions, qualifications, and character, not their religious beliefs.”
Aganaba promised the people that the Tinubu/Shettima alliance would bring the country back on track, address insecurity, and build a prosperous nation.
