Some North East elders have endorsed Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party as the best choice for modern Nigeria ahead of the 2023 presidential election, IgbereTV reports
The elders condemned the All Progressives Congress (APCMuslim )’s Muslim presidential ticket, saying the party’s action would not be sanctioned because it did not promote equity and fairness in a diverse Nigeria.
The elders who described the APC’s action as the highest level of madness and an evil agenda in Nigeria reminded the promoters of the same faith ticket to go down memory lane to see if their action was in line with what Nigeria’s democracy’s founders preached and practiced.
Noting that Nigeria was a secular country in which no religion should be elevated above others, the elders tasked the APC with reflecting on its actions in light of the fact that Nigeria had changed since 1993, when such was promoted without opposition.
The North East elders, working under the banner of the Coalition of North East Elders for Peace and Development (CNEEPD), warned the APC not to be too comfortable with their actions, claiming that the rigging on which it was relying as a party in government would fail them miserably because, according to them, Nigerians would vote and safeguard their votes without fear or intimidation from APC’s hired agents.
In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Engr. Zana Goni, the group insisted that, contrary to the APC’s expectations, it would lose the presidential election before 12 p.m., adding that “indications across the country were not in favour of the party that had put Nigeria in its current bad situation.”
The North East elders also condemned the attacks on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) facilities in the South East, attributing the developments to some sponsored terrorists outside the zone with the goal of depleting the South East voting strength.
“As the 2023 general elections approach, we, the Coalition of North East Elders for Peace and Development, have noted with concern some actions and statements by some political parties and actors in our democratic process,” the statement read in part.
The most recent example is the ruling All Progressives Congress (APCimpunity )’s in settling for a same faith ticket in a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and, above all, multi-cultural country like Nigeria, and the party’s defense of the absurd action in the face of widespread opposition to the abnormalities. As leaders who have not only observed but also actively contributed to political developments in Nigeria for decades, we wish to categorically condemn the APC’s action, which we regard as detrimental to Nigeria’s progress and growth.”
Without equivocation, we regard the party’s decision to field a Muslim Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election as the height of insanity, insensitivity, and an evil agenda against our beloved country, which we have worked for years to build. This decision, which jeopardizes the country’s unity, does not have our blessing and must be opposed by all Nigerians of good conscience. “We wonder why a sane man and sane political party would consider, and even go ahead with, picking a Muslim as running mate to a Muslim candidate in a presidential election in a secular country like Nigeria in this modern age.”
“To make matters worse, they chose Alhajji Kashim Shetima, a man whose alleged link with terrorism is still a matter of debate in the public domain,” the group added.
This is a costly mistake that must be resisted at the polls by all Nigerians, regardless of religion, tribe, or ethnic backgrounds, in the interest of peace,” the group said. “If this madness is allowed to see the light of day, Nigeria’s unity and peace will be forever threatened.”
How can this be attempted in Nigeria? As it stands together Christians and Muslims have started supporting candidates based on religious lines, in mosques and churches across the country. This is not what we require right now.” Nigeria’s peace is too fragile to contemplate such lunacy as that displayed by the ruling APC. The party has actually led more Nigerians to believe that they, as widely speculated, have an Islamization agenda.”
The group claimed that attacks on INEC facilities in the South East are being orchestrated by some political interest groups in order to reduce the region’s voting strength.
“Given the carefully coordinated attacks launched in recent times on both INEC personnel and facilities, we will not be mistaken to believe that the actions are carefully calculated, planned, and executed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists with the aim of disenfranchising the people of the South East and also casting them in a negative light.”
Security agencies must crack down on these evildoers and bring them to justice as soon as possible.”
We also urge all communities in the South East to form a special task force to protect INEC facilities and officials throughout the zone.
“We urge all Nigerians to use all legal means to oppose the evil and selfish agenda of the Muslim Muslim ticket.” The current level of hunger and terrorism in the North today does not respect Muslims or any religion, so Muslims must look beyond the lies sold to us by the APC. “We must elect credible leaders with capacity and a plan for our beloved country,” the elders advised.
