The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed its dissatisfaction with the decision of the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, to pick a fellow Muslim as his Vice Presidential candidate for the 2023 election.
Speaking to newsmen in Awka, the Vice President-General of the organization, Ichie Damian Okeke-Ogene, says the move portends serious danger to the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria.
Okeke-Ogene, however, told the APC presidential candidate that it is still not too late to correct the anomaly as he could change his running mate before the deadline.
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Describing Nigeria as a multi-religious and multi-ethnic country, the Ohanaeze leader made it clear that 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.
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.
He 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.
Okeke-Ogene commended the leadership of Pan Yoruba socio-political organization, Ayo Adebanjo, and the convener of Pan Niger Delta Forum and Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark for remaining vocal and speaking out on issues affecting Nigerians, noting that South-West and South-South socio-cultural organizations have been consistent in pointing out the injustice meted out to South-East zone and have been supporting agitations for equity, fairness and good conscience.
