Muslim-Muslim ticket, direct attack on Christians – Ex-SGF

Former Federation government secretary Babachir Lawal has again condemned the decision of All Progressives Congress presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu to run with a northern Muslim candidate Kashim Shettima .

He described the Muslim-Muslim ticket as a direct attack on Christians, noting that the party has produced a Muslim presidential candidate and that most party officials are all Muslims.

This, he said, had caused an outcry from the party's Christian community.

Lawal was reacting to a report that the planning and strategy committee of Tinubu's campaign organization, which he led, recommended the same religious ticket.

Speaking in an interview on Arise TV watched by The PUNCH on Thursday, he explained that the committee had recommended that a Muslim-Christian ticket outweigh the merits of a Muslim- Muslim.

In addition to Senator Kashim Shettima, the subcommittee chaired by Senator Grace Folasade Bent reportedly recommended a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; United Nations Under-Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and Kashim Imam, an associate of Tinubu.

Others include Ambassador Fatima Balla; Senator Anthony Manzo; Hajiya Najatu Mohammed; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Wamakko;

Governors Babagana Zulum (Borno); Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi).

But explaining the panel's recommendations, the former SGF said: "Our report was very detailed on the involvement of religion in this upcoming election. In the report, both scenarios were examined and analyzed and the report provided the advantages of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, and the disadvantages.

"There was also a recommendation on the pros and cons of a Muslim-Christian ticket, and which outweighs the pros of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

"I tried to get the APC to see the benefits of including the Christian community in the party's national working committee and national executive board, but they didn't listen and instead appointed Muslims as National President and National Vice President.”

The APC leader added that his fears materialized when the party's primaries produced a Muslim candidate for president.

Referring to his letter to the APC presidential candidate, the former SGF said anyone vying for the presidency must consider religion a major factor.

He said, "First of all, no one should aspire to be president of this country if they ignore the religious dichotomy in the system. We know that religion is a major factor in this country and that is divisive. And anyone who wants to lead this country should be afraid to relaunch their government in a way that is divisive in a way that is antagonistic to a certain segment of society.

"It doesn't matter whether it's Christianity, whether it's the Igbo tribe, or the Hausa tribe, or the Muslims, etc. You are supposed, above all, to seek to unite the people you have intent to rule. Whatever else you do, without this unity no one will appreciate it."

Lawal alleged that Tinubu did not contact the Christian group within the APC, stating that if he had, he (Lawal) would have been at the meeting.

He justified his statement that the Muslim-Muslim ticket would not play well for the APC.

He added: “First of all, you would like to antagonize the Christian majority in this country; it is a direct attack on them. And even in your own zone, you could jeopardize your election. Because when it comes to religion, Nigerians take religion first. Now you are going to jeopardize the whole Christian religion in the North, in the South, in the South-East”.

Lawal also said his stance against the Muslim-Muslim ticket is a fight for inclusivity within the APC.

He said the presentation of a Muslim-Muslim banknote would create unrest among Christians and Muslims, who have always lived in peace.

"I can tell you it's not about religion. It's about inclusivity, it's about equity, it's about justice, it's a matter of peaceful coexistence with each other, with our neighbours. No Muslim wants to be in an acrimonious relationship with Christians. The fight we are waging is a fight for everyone, for justice," said he argued.

However skilled the running mate, Lawal said there would always be reservations against his nomination by aggrieved parties.

"This is where the danger would come; if you enter a government in which the Christian population feels discriminated...