Muslim-Muslim post: APC now looks like a 'janjawid' party, says Dogara

Make no mistake, Lawal warns Christians

When it comes to former Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Yakubu Dogara, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) now looks like a 'janjawid' party.

Dogara, who spoke yesterday at a summit organized by the APC's northern Christian leaders in Abuja, dismissed as "hogwash" the argument that the choice of the former governor of the Borno State Kashim Shettima as the party's vice-presidential candidate was on the basis of consideration of skill rather than religious leaning.

Speaking on the theme of the summit, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to all people", Dogara said that despite his love for the party's presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the argument that Christian votes would not count because that of Muslims has no logical basis, noting that Nigerians, regardless of their religious leanings, had ensured the emergence of former President Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo in the past.

He noted that it was unfortunate that the APC was no longer an inclusive political party.

Dogara argued that the adoption of a Muslim-Muslim presidential and vice-presidential ticket by the APC was capable of leading Nigeria to disintegration like Yugoslavia.

He reiterated his support for Tinubu's candidacy, but stressed that the call for a Muslim-Christian ticket in the APC was aimed at entrenching justice, fairness and equity in Nigeria.< /p>

Recalling how he became Speaker of the 8th House of Representatives with the support of his Muslim colleagues, he criticized the widespread idea in some circles that Christians could not muster the votes to ensure Tinubu's victory in the presidential election.

His words: "When talking about a Muslim-Muslim ticket; God forbid we should be understood as being against Muslims or we don't want Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to be president. This is not also not about Senator Kashim Shettima, but about what is right and what is wrong. It is about justice, fairness and fairness.

"This is about Nigeria; its diversity and how it can be harnessed inclusively for the greater good of all of us. Anyway, some of us really wanted Asiwaju to be president because he sacrificed a lot for our party, the APC, and for what he represents for so many people. So our position cannot be against Muslims or Islam. This fact cannot in any way be denied.

"But when it comes to choosing between the love and admiration I have for an individual and what is right and what I believe represents my vision for Nigeria, my choice will clearly be for that After all, my rise to the post of President would never have been possible without the support of some Muslim members who believe that our diversity must be reflected in national positions for unity, peace and the advancement of our dear country.

“What gives me more hope about the Nigerian project is that there are many of our Muslim brothers and leaders who not only warned the APC, but had to call the APC to having adopted a Muslim-Muslim ticket that resulted in the party ructions we are witnessing today.

"In 2015, when we were called the 'janjawid party', my answer was usually very simple. I could then say that His Excellency John Oyegun was the chairman of my party and my running mate was the pastor Yemi Osinbajo.

"We no longer enjoy that luxury as President, Senate President, President and Deputy; Senate and House Leaders; National President and National Vice President; Candidates for President and for the vice-presidency are all Muslims, leaving the post of Vice-President Osibanjo and Vice-President of the Omo-Agege Senate to Christians at this level in a country whose population is fairly divided between Muslims and Christians.

“Given this scenario, can a God-fearing Muslim, a Christian, or even an amoral and an atheist, say that this is just, fair and virtuous? Does this represent the act of a just God? This is the real context of the Christian community's objections, not just the presidential ticket and the VP slot.

"For me this is a rude awakening and I'm so glad it happened sooner rather than later. The very fact that they said not to worry about a ticket Muslim-Muslim while a Muslim-Christian ticket gave them sleepless nights should worry you more.

"Worrying about a Muslim-Christian ticket while advising others not to worry about a Muslim-Muslim ticket is the very definition of cognitive dissonance and an attempt to enlighten gullible Christians. The truth must be told that anyone who doesn't bring us together is consciously tearing us apart.

“The other amusing argument in the media is the claim that without a northern Muslim on the list, the election cannot be won. The implications of this argument are quite unambiguous; Northern Snout ...