By Adeleye Kunle
The Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been described as ungodly in a multi-religious state; a slap to the North and an insult to Nigerians by the Forum of Middle Belt Youth Presidents, FMBYPs.
The Forum’s President, Terrence Kuanum, said in a statement Monday that the choice of Alhaji Kashim Shettima as the running mate of the APC presidential candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu, had shocked, disappointed, and saddened Middle Belt youths.
While regretting that the APC had resorted to emulating an alleged bad example in Kaduna state and desperately wants to impose it on Nigeria, the forum urged Nigerians to obtain Permanent Voter Cards, or PVCs, in order to end the APC’s misrule, which it claimed had turned Nigeria into a massive killing field.
The FMBYP stated in a statement, “although we anticipated that the party that has no regard for inclusiveness and fairness would go for a muslim-muslim ticket, we thought the party could for once, tow the line of honour, justice, and fairness by taking into account the feelings of other Nigerians.”
“But, as they say, the leopard’s spot can never be washed away by rain.” The anti-people party delivered on its arrogant claim that it would do whatever it pleased and Nigerians could go to hell.
“It is frightening that a party that prides itself on being progressive could, as it has always done, ignore the aspirations of Nigerians at a time when any sane and decent group is clamoring for inclusivity.” It begs the question of whether those in the ruling party who cheated their way to power will ever repent.
“Sad to say, the party known for making unforced errors had called the bluff of Christians and other ethnic minorities, not just from the North, but the entire country, in the run-up to the blunder of settling for a muslim-muslim ticket.”
“Because the majority of APC stakeholders were of the ill-intentioned opinion that competence, not religion or region, was of paramount importance in the choice of who flies the party’s ticket alongside Tinubu, the final decision is a covert way of saying Christians, particularly in the North, are bereft of competent people.”
“The APC should have been reasonable enough to present a ticket that takes into account the country’s current color and temperature.” However, they chose the path of dishonour. That is an insult, and it clearly states that those who are not comfortable with the move can go to hell.
“The Muslim North can rejoice in their temporary victory.” They should not, however, pretend to be unaware of the mild insult directed at them. The fact that the APC regards them as having only religion and a large number of uneducated, unfed, unemployed street urchins as political capital is an insult we hope they do not have to bear.
“But what should one expect from a people who are willing to go to bed on an empty stomach as long as one of their own is among those making the decisions at the top?”
“Why should the APC, in its desperation, take advantage of a population that prides itself on being more politically strategic than other regions of the country?” Why would the APC believe it has nothing to do with what other Nigerians think about power and how it is distributed?
“Yes, we are aware that political parties and their candidates reserve the right to choose who will represent them in elections.” But we are also aware of the dangers of ignoring red flags, which have a tendency to turn voters against political parties and their candidates.
“There are also claims made by supporters of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, who are primarily people with extreme Islamic views or mere tools in the hands of those who believe they own the country, that a Muslim-Muslim ticket once flew in the country almost to victory safe for the annulment of the 1993 Presidential election.”
“What they are not telling the people is that Nigeria is now polarised beyond comprehension, and the dynamics of the polity have changed as a result of mutual suspicion, lack of trust, and gross injustice.”
“When Nigeria’s enemies strategically orchestrated and foisted two Muslims, Femi Gbajabiamila and Idris Wase, as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, all discerning minds knew that a time would come when that unpopular craze for a particular religion would attempt to corner the two top political positions in the country.”
“That one of the main actors in the poorly written script, Governor Nasir Elrufai of Kaduna state, made a Muslim woman his Deputy in his second tenure in a bid to further suppress the Christians in his state, and he has imposed her on his intended successor for another muslim-muslim ticket ahead of 2023 is a clear testament that the agenda had long been in the factory undergoing test-running and has finally manifested.”
“We therefore completely condemn the APC’s unpopular, unsavoury, unnecessary, and infamous show of shame as they intend to present a one-sided ticket to the people in this age’s multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society.” We are not moral jingoists or religious bigots, but we are not fans of exclusionary politics.
“On that note, we urge Nigerians to reject the APC ticket, which is more about insulting them than seeking power to solve the nation’s plethora of problems.” A party that has pushed Nigeria back over a century and has put the country on life support has no business remaining in power, let alone on an ungodly ticket.
“A party that has brought the nation’s economy to its knees and is desperate to destroy what remains of the country’s battered identity should be thrown out of power without hesitation.”
“Let us all get our PVCs ready to chase out those in charge while Nigeria turns into a killing field.” They don’t deserve another minute in power come May 2023.”
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