By Adeleye Kunle
Northern Christians stormed the Aso Villa State House in Abuja on Friday to protest the All Progressives Congress’ Muslim/Muslim ticket, TrackNews reports.
Christians from the 19 northern states were outraged when the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, chose Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Protesters also presented a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday to express their grievances.
They stated that this is not an ideal time for Christians in the APC or in Nigeria in general.
“Our sensibilities have been insulted by the ambition of a select few who have elected to throw caution to the wind,” the letter says.
“As you are probably aware, Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country.” Islam and Christianity are the country’s two major religions. And these have characterized our way of life since the country’s independence in 1960. Successive governments in the country have respected the country’s multi-religious nature, particularly during elections, in order to create a balance in the country’s leadership.
“We are therefore concerned by the All Progressive Congress Party’s (APC) decision to disregard the Christian community in selecting its vice presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential elections.” Without a doubt, this is unacceptable and will lead to sharp divisions between the country’s Muslims and Christians.
“Mr President, since the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, all political parties have followed a Muslim-Christian or Christian-Muslim pairing.” And, to a large extent, this has ensured religious harmony in the country.
“However, our party’s decision to run a Muslim-Muslim ticket is both insensitive and the pinnacle of Christian discrimination in our country.” This comes on the heels of other political parties incorporating religious diversity into the composition of their presidential teams.
“Your Excellency Sir, this insensitivity has displeased and angered us, the Christians of Northern Nigeria.” The APC’s actions sent a strong message that Christians are unimportant in the grand scheme of things in the country.
“The APC has also demonstrated religious intolerance, which if not reversed in the overarching goal of entrenching peace and tranquillity, will eventually lead to religious tension in the country.”
“As APC stakeholders, we know that there are credible Christians in the APC from northern Nigeria and other parts of the country who are dedicated and have outstanding credentials to run for vice president.”
“Mr President Sir, we are tempted to mention that the APC’s move is intended to cause an unimaginable crisis along ethno-religious lines.” In all fairness, you must admit that this is not what Nigeria requires.
“The APC’s despicable display of presenting a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential elections offends Nigeria’s Christian community.”
“We are using this medium to request that your good office intervene in reversing the party’s Presidential Candidate’s ignoble move.”
“We demand that you immediately invite the party’s Presidential Candidate to retrace his steps.”
