By John Okeke
A Group, South-North Progressive Youth Congress, has condemned strongly the idea of the the Ruling Party , All Progressive Congress (APC) , wanting to pick Muslim-Muslim Ticket for its Presidential flag bearers.
In a statement made available to THE AUTHORITY yesterday and endorsed by its National Coordinator, Hon. Nseabasi Brownson said It would be unfair and paying deaf ears to the rudiments of fair play and Justice to run a Muslim/Muslim ticket by the APC in the forth-coming general elections in 2023.
The group said Nigerian is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic country with predominantly Christians in the South and some Muslims and predominantly Muslims in the North and some Christians.
It also advocated Muslim-Christian Ticket.
The group advised APC to pick Secretory to the Government of the Federation, Barr. Boss Mustapha as running mate to Asiwaju Tinubu who is APC Presidential flag bearer.
It said ,”The current and visible challenges of Nigeria as a country have sparked off tears and worries from several quarters in recent years and these are issues which any Party that seeks to win election and lead a peaceful country should not sweep under the carpet.
“Tacitly put, we condemn in very strong terms the current rumours of the purported Muslim/Muslim ticket being conjectured by the Presidential candidate of the APC, His Excellency Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
“We advise that the APC should not slip into such political murky waters by acceding to whatever antics and pressure of having a Muslim/Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential elections to avoid unnecessary and avoidable challenges which could derail the vision of the coming government.
“Let us not forget the experiences of the 1993 general elections how the Muslim/Muslim ticket of Alhaji M.K.O. Abiola and Alhaji Babagana Kingibe ended.
“We strongly advocate for a Christian to be considered to be the running mate of his Excellency Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu the Jagaban of Borgu who convincingly won the APC presidential primary as the candidate of the Party.
“Meanwhile, after deep consultation from across the South and North of the country, our members, elites and stakeholders; the South-North Progressive Youth Congress and hosts of other Arewa groups strongly recommends and endorses the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Barr. Boss Mustapha popularly known as Mr. Synergy, as the Vice presidential candidate and running mate to H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The SGF was considered and endorsed strictly based on credibility, competence, loyalty to the principles of the Party, political advantages when compared with other most likely persons for the V.P slot.
“It is worldwide known that SGF Boss Mustapha has distinguished himself as the most credible, reliable and competent northern Christian in the corridor of power with immense good rapport from across the North with both Christian folks and Muslims.
“His credentials and credibility has earned him several commendations from his boss, the President, his effective management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria has given him a national appeal with high political support base.
“This and many factors are the reasons why this Group are advocating for APC and the Jagaban Borgu to chose Barr. Boss Mustapha as the best match for easy 2023 political victory,” the statement said.
“We adjure the leadership of the APC in the country to listen to the voice(s) of reason and do the needful. We strongly advise and wish that the APC Presidential candidate, Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu, listens to Nigerians. No tree can make a forest. No King is King without a Kingdom. And there is no Kingdom without a people. He who must be crowned king must be ready to listen to the people. A stich in time saves nine,” added
