The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has condemned the selection of former governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima, as the running mate to the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Ahmed Tinubu.
TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls Tinubu had during a visit to the president, in Daura, on Sunday, announced Shettima, a Muslim, as his running mate.
Tinubu announced Shettima, on Sunday, as his running mate, in Daura, Katsina state shortly after paying a Sallah visit to President Muhammadu Buhari. Shettima is a Senator representing Borno Central District in the nation’s Upper Chamber. He was a two-term governor in Borno state.
However, Tinubu’s announcement came amidst protests from the leadership of various Christian bodies in Nigeria, especially the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Catholic Bishops.
CAN’s Spokesperson, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, said Nigerians should be ready to face the consequences of their actions if they endorsed and vote for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“We knew this was what he was going to do and we have warned against it. It is up to Nigerians to decide on what they want.
“You are all alive when we warned Buhari not to allow Muslims to dominate the security architecture of the country and he did it. I think we can see the way the criminals are operating with impunity.
“So, if Tinubu says he is opting for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in a polarised country like ours, if Nigerians endorse him and vote for him, whatever happens, Nigerians will face it.
“We knew this was what he was going to do and we had warned against it. It is up to Nigerians to decide on what they want.
“You are all alive when we warned Buhari not to allow Muslims to dominate the security architecture of the country and he did it. I think we can see the way the criminals are operating with impunity.
“So, if Tinubu says he is opting for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in a polarised country like ours, if Nigerians endorse him and vote for him, whatever happens, Nigerians will face the consequences”, he said.
Similarly, the Christ Global Network Presbyter, Bishop Taiwo Akinola and the General Overseer of Rhema Christian Church and Towers International with headquarters in Sango Otta in Ogun State had disagreed with the same faith ticket for 2023 general elections despite assurances of fairness to all, describing it as unhealthy for today’s Nigeria.
He said this during a media briefing held alongside the New Wine Fire Conference 2022 with the theme: “Flowing In The Messianic Anointing” explaining that the same faith ticket, particularly at the presidency would further entrench national division.
Bishop Akinola advised all political parties to jettison all mono faith permutation which is capable of fueling a further cry against the real or perceived allegation of an islamization agenda and exacerbating the country’s present religious crisis.