Avalanche of criticisms have continued to greet the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s selection of a muslim running mate, as this time around the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has joined in the criticism of the issue, saying Tinubu’s decision to pick a fellow muslim as his vice presidential candidate may not only cause disunity but also result in great loss for the party in the 2023 general elections.
The Vice President-General of the group, Ichie Damian Okeke-Ogene who lambasted the APC Presidential candidate while addressing newsmen in Awka, Anambra, said any attempt by one religion to dominate the political structure could only widen the gap of mistrust and destroy the delicate sense of tolerance cultivated over the years.
“The All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu’s decision to pick a fellow Muslim as his Vice Presidential candidate for the 2023 election is a serious threat to the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria.
” It is still not too late to correct the anomaly by changing his running mate before the deadline”, he stated.
According to him, the choice of the Muslim — Muslim ticket was not only ill-timed but also a total disregard for the diversity of the country, noting that it had undermined efforts of well-meaning Nigerians over the years to bridge the religious differences and promote ethnic harmonious co-existence.
He said: ” Tinubu’s desperation to be President of Nigeria has thwarted the efforts and sacrifice of former President Goodluck Jonathan to consolidate the corporate existence of the country when he stated that his political aspiration was not worth shedding the blood of any Nigerian.
He observed that from the actions of the APC presidential candidate, it would appear he is not interested in the unity and peaceful co-existence of Nigeria as a country.
The Vice President pointed out that with the challenge of insecurity across the country and widening ethnic divide and agitations, it is satanic for anybody to introduce a Muslim Muslim ticket at this point.