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| Bola Tinubu is presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), in 2023 presidential election. |
By Kassai Adams in Critical Voices.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has decided that winning next year's presidential election is more important to the party than recognizing the nation's diversity, and balance of power.
But the question is, why does the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu, believes picking a northern Muslim is his sure way of winning the next election? This is because he understands Northern politics. He understands that religion is the heart and soul of Northern politics.
If this is the case, why then is the APC trying to convince us that it's choice of a Muslim-Muslim ticket is for the good of the country when in fact, it is about the party winning next year's election?
Why are they saying Christians in the country shouldn't fret over same faith ticket when in fact, the current APC government under a northern Muslim, has given us enough reasons to believe that voting for an all Muslim ticket would be like signing one's own death warrant?
As a northern Christian, I really do not care if the country wants an all Muslim government, all Christian government, or a government which believes in balance of power. If I will be given good governance, religious freedom, security, economic prosperity, and a world of opportunities, why should I care?
But most Northern Muslims do not believe in these, nor can the APC be trusted to provide the leadership we all crave. The APC’s major goal is about winning the next election and Tinubu who did everything possible to win the party's ticket, will not at this point, take any chances. So it makes sense to give the North what it values most in exchange for their support.
It doesn't matter what you choose to believe, but it is as clear as day, that Tinubu's reason for picking a northern candidate as running mate, is purely a matter of political calculations. It is about winning the next presidential election even if it means doing all the wrong things in the world.
I may not care who or where the next president comes from if the country would be better off. But if the North that I know, cares so much about these things, and would never tolerate an all Christian ticket, why then should I not be concerned?
I care about these things because Muslims in the North care about them, not because it is what I believe. The greatest mistake the North made, is denying Christians from the region the opportunity to serve as Tinubu's running mate whether or not it would convince Nigerians to vote for the APC.
This singular act by the North, has further strengthen the belief, that the North values religion more than equity. If they cannot trust a northern Christian, why should we trust them?
So, whoever believes the APC’s all Muslim ticket is for the good of the country, should go ahead and vote for the APC at their own peril.