A group in the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegies of Northern Christian Youths Coalition has rejected the party’s decision to opt for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2023 general election, IgbereTV reports
In a communique issued after a meeting on Tuesday, the coalition which is an amalgamation of APC Christian youths in the 19 northern states, said its members would not go against their conscience and faith by campaigning for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
The communique was signed by the coalition’s Chairman, Prof. Doknan Sheni, and Secretary-General, Ishaya Bauka.
The group said the party and its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had betrayed the North by choosing former Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, as running mate.
It described the development as unacceptable and a slap on Northern Christians.
The communique read: “The selection of a Muslim vice presidential candidate portrays insensitivity to the Christians in the nation.
“The fear of the Christians in the North and the nation, in general, is that the APC will be viewed as an Islamic party and the Muslim -Muslim ticket was not possible in 2015, why should it be possible in 2023?
“More so, that we are apprehensive that the person picked might have had a hand in the Chibok girls saga and other terror activities, Muslim-Muslim ticket would undermine the election chances of Christian candidates in the APC in the various states in the North.
“The Christians in the North and the whole nation are highly aggravated. Considering that the Chairman of the party is a Muslim, Deputy Chairman – North, is a Muslim, the President of the Senate is a Muslim, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are Muslims, and now both the presidential and vice-presidential candidates are Muslims and apart from this violating the constitution, section 14 subsection 3, if this was to be reversed that all these were Christians, can any Muslim in the North be able to sell the APC presidential ticket to any Muslim ummah?
