Ticket debate between Muslims and APC Muslims: another view from MURIC

Since All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu unveiled former Borno state governor Kashim Shettima as his running mate, there have been mixed reactions from various stakeholders and groups on whether or not the choice is appropriate. , with most commentators, particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), saying it does not include the country's other major religion.

In its reaction, the Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC) said: "We are not surprised by CAN's verbal hesitation over the choice of Tinubu. The Christian umbrella body remains just in character. It is always ready to oppose any Muslim in power or any Muslim seeking office. This is because CAN will never settle for a Muslim as President of Nigeria. This will not suit its Nigeria agenda for Christ.

“The CAN is simply power-hungry. We know CAN. The group sought a Christian running mate not for the benefit of Nigerians but for parochial purposes. The idea is to milk the Christian running mate if his party wins in the end by claiming that the Christian umbrella fought for him. It's for political influence, contracts and power. We advise CAN to form its own political party.

"Democracy is a numbers game and each candidate should be allowed to make their choice. It is not written in the constitution that a candidate should not choose a running mate from their own religious group. The choice of each contestant is at their own risk. So what's the problem? What is CAN afraid of? His own shadow, of course."

MURIC urged Nigerians not to be deceived by the spiritual banditry of CAN. He advised the electorate to consider a candidate's pedigree, integrity and competence in making their choice. “Similarly, a presidential candidate should look for a running mate who has electoral merit as well as relevant experience. CAN's insistence on the Muslim-Christian ticket is motivated by an articulated religiosity and tramadolized spirituality. Applicants should not be assessed on the basis of their religion.

“CAN talk about equity and balance on a national level, but ignore the glaring imbalance of Christian-Christian regimes throughout the South. Does CAN ignore that all but one of Nigeria's 17 southern states have Christian governors? This is 94% for Christians and only 6% for Muslims.

“There are only three Muslim Deputy Governors in all of Southern Nigeria (Lagos, Ogun and Oyo) compared to 14 Christian Deputy Governors. This represents 82% for Christians and 18% for Muslims. Ekiti and Ondo states with large Muslim populations have Christian governors and Christian deputies. This life is given and taken. The world turns by giving and sharing. But why does the CAN want to share by force when it is not ready to give?

“Nigeria has 36 states. Among them, Christian governors number 20 while Muslim governors number only 16. CAN is not satisfied and the organization will always cry 'marginalization' when in reality they are taking all the milk and honey from the country.We expect CAN to disprove this calculation 20 by 16. But CAN cannot She doesn't dare because the facts are there, and the facts are sacred. Are US senators listening? Is Kukah still there?

“There are 22 Christian deputy governors in Nigeria compared to 14 Muslim deputy governors. Mathematicians should put that together and work out the percentage. what is CAN talking about?

"CAN's charity doesn't start at home. That's why there's so much noise about a Muslim-Muslim ticket at the center? CAN isn't ready to share in the states, but he wants to force the split down our throats in the middle. Isn't that a double standard? Should I take it all?"

MURIC alleged that CAN is simply power-hungry and always looking for ways to make everyone go their own way. He said bulldozing, blackmailing, harassment and intimidation are CAN's business, noting that the same bullying CAN is now the one accusing Tinubu of bullying the Christian group and threatening to escalate the situation. .

“Listen to Reverend John Hayab, “We are going to make this problem worse because our call for fairness and balancing the presidential ticket in the name of justice, unity and fairness has apparently fallen on deaf ears

"We're of the opinion that we don't need to look like villains before we can make our case, and that's if there's a valid point at all. Unfortunately, CAN doesn't make any comment here. All we see here is a threat. It's too pedestrian. It's jejun. What kind of "escalation" is CAN threatening? We warn that nothing must happen to Tinubu. Shettima must not disappear.

"We warn CAN to leave Tinubu alone. MURIC will...