The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has kicked against the kite flown by some politicians clamoring for a Muslim/Muslim ticket ahead of the 2023 general election. On the contrary, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Abubakar Sa’ad III, posited that what people should consider is the competency of both candidates and that has been the prayer point of Muslims. The Director-General of Tinibu support foundation, Abdulmumini Jibrin, had on Monday claimed that Nigerians should look out for competency first instead of using ethnicity or religion as a yardstick for ushering leaders into a position of power, referring to his master Tinibu.
Jibrin sighted example with the National Assembly leadership that during the sixth and seventh Assembly, David Mark and Ike Ikwerenmadu were booth Christians and they run a successful tenure; and currently, Senator Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila are both Muslims, and Nigerians are not complaining.
Recently, a former national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bisi Akande, in his book claimed that Tinibu was supposed to be a running mate to President Buhari during 2015 and to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in 2007 though both of them are Muslims just like Tinibu. Akande said in the southwest, religion does not play any role in politics.
However, the CAN spokesperson, Rev. Bayo Oladeji while speaking on the position of CAN said, having a Muslim/Muslim ticket is unacceptable and is capable of setting the country on fire, saying just like a Christian/Christian ticket would not sell-through.
He said though it once happened on June 12, 1993, general election when Chief MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) alongside Babagana Kingibe came on a joint ticket that will be hard to repeat itself.
Oladeji stated, “Politicians can talk politics but we have stated our view. Any party that tries a Muslim/Muslim ticket or Christian/Christian ticket will fail. This is not 1993. Even when we have joint Muslims/Christians, the church still goes through hell.
He threatened that “Imagine how bad it will be if we have two Muslims in power? The constitution promotes religious balance. So, if they want to try a Muslim/Muslim ticket, let them try it. But we will not respond to faceless people. Let any political party or the government try it then they will know that Christians are not second-hand citizens of Nigeria.
The cleric added, “This country belongs to all of us. If they try it, they will see it. Those who are planning Muslim/Muslim tickets should also find out what was the outcome of the MKO Abiola and Kingibe tickets. If they try Muslim/Muslim ticket this time around, the outcome will be worse.”
Meanwhile, the NSCIA through the Sultan said, Muslims believed that power is from God and he gives to whomever he wishes, and therefore, any person that emerges the winner will be supported.
The Director of Administration, NSCIA, Zubairu Ugwu in his remarks said, though the council would continue to preach peace in the country at the same time will pray for a person with the requisite capacity to lead the country.
Ugwu said, “Consequently, both the NSCIA and the Muslim Ummah of Nigeria who, in thought and practice, draw instructions from the Holy Qur’an, have absolute trust that Almighty Allah has the limitless capacity, to bring to power or deny the power, in line with the above Qur’anic injunction, to whomsoever He wills.
“As Muslims, therefore, we have no choice but to continue to supplicate to Allah to grant that only Nigerians who possess the requisite capacity, integrity, sagacity, empathy, positive attitude, passion, administrative acumen, zeal for selfless service, etc., shall eventually triumph at both their respective party primaries and subsequent general elections, at all tiers of government in Nigeria.”
