The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter, has condemned the All Progressives Congress (APC) for fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Naija News reports the APC Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, on Sunday after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, announced a former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, as his running mate.
The announcement was greeted with mixed reactions but has led to some people across various states dumping the APC in protest of the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
In a statement signed on Wednesday by the PFN Kaduna State Chapter President, Apostle Emmanuel Egoh Bako said the APC’s decision to fly a same-faith party ticket is an irresponsible decision and a disregard for the nation’s diversities.
Bako noted that it was an irresponsible decision and a disregard for the country’s diversities.
He stated that it was not acceptable with the ongoing political situation in the country.
He asserted that it was the responsibility of all political parties in the country to strengthen national integration and not otherwise.
He said, “I have noticed with great dismay the consistent disregard for our heterogeneous nature in Nigeria by our political players. This is done in the face of the increasing weakness of the bond of unity.
“It is not only against the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but against the plan of God.”
He observed with concern that the new trend of fielding party flag bearers with individuals from one faith is not consistent with the federal system but had the potency to polarise the nation at this crucial moment when all true citizens were in search of unity.
“The new trend of fielding party flag bearers with individuals from one faith is not consistent with our federal system. It has the potency to polarise our beloved nation at this crucial moment when all true citizens are searching for unity.
“It is obvious that the decision is taken to cover up for the failure of government and to also spite other religions. Both Muslims and Christians are suffocating under the highest level of insecurity. This has further reduced our life expectancy in Nigeria.
“Apart from this, the religious fault lines in the past seven years have been widened. The responsibility of all political parties at this moment should be on strengthening national integration and not otherwise.”
Bako, however, called on all peace-loving citizens to reject this evil pattern that is gradually getting entrenched, appealing that Nigerians should unite and build a society on the basis of respect for everyone’s humanity.
The chairman believed that both Muslims and Christians were affected by the economic hardships brought by poor leadership and no one should be deceived by the ruling party’s decision.
He, therefore, declared the Muslim-Muslim ticket barbaric and unacceptable, saying that right-thinking Nigerians should not let it stand because it showcased the great nation in a bad light.
