TheCable

The northern Christian leaders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) have described the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the ruling party as divisive and insensitive. 

In a communique issued after a meeting in Abuja on Friday, the party leaders said they are looking for the best platform that can project the interest of all religions in the country.

Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, picked Kashim Shettima, the former governor of Borno, who is also a Muslim, as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

The development elicited outrage from key stakeholders, particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

“The adoption of a Muslim–Muslim ticket by our party, the APC, in defiance of protestations by well-meaning key national stakeholders, including prominent Islamic and Christians leaders, is divisive, unjust and insensitive,” the leaders said.

“As a consequence; we northern Christians in APC will not support or enable in any way this callous attempt to divide Nigeria along religious lines as exemplified by the already toxic debate in the media.

“That we will set up a committee within us with a mandate to go round Nigeria and consult with both Christians and Muslim stakeholders, including other stakeholders who are not of the faith community but who share our aspirations for a peaceful and united Nigeria, to arrive at the best platform that will better galvanise and steer our patriotic spirits and resolve towards collectively building a united multi religious, multi-ethnic society as guaranteed by our constitution.

“That we will summon an interfaith summit in no distant future after consultations are concluded across religious divide where notable Muslim and Christian politicians and Islamic and Christian leaders will announce to the nation and the world the best Pan Nigerian platform that will better serve our collective interests as a people, post 2023.”

The northern leaders said they will convene another summit where a final decision will be taken on the ticket they will adopt for the 2023 presidential election.