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* It is endorsement of Islamisation of Nigeria.
As the criticism of APC ‘ s Muslim and Muslim ticket continue to swell, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has described the choice of the party as an affront to Christians.
The APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu and his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima are Muslims.
The issue has sparked a national debate over whether it is ideal for a party to present a same-faith presidential ticket.
However, as condemnation continues to trail the party’s decision in some quarters, the Primate has called on Nigerians to reject the party and vote it out, adding that APC’s decision to go with a same-faith ticket was a calculated plot to “Islamise” Nigeria.
The cleric insisted that if Nigerians vote for the party, religious and social discrimination and open public enforcement of the Sharia law will be done in some parts of the country.
“A situation where the ruling party, the APC, is not considerate to the religious sensitivities of the citizens of this nation is to deliberately hurt a cross-section of citizens. For the Christians, it is an affront that shows that what is most feared is being done.”
The Primate stated this during a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in Abuja.
He said, “Nigeria as we know it will cease to exist, and those who say that it does not matter must be prepared to fight the terrorists who would want to take it beyond your so-called civilised understanding. We must get it clear that because of religious and ideological differences, we may be using the same words and terminology but our understanding and perceptions are never the same.
“The activities for the general elections of 2023 are picking up. There is a need for strengthening and straightening out the internal democracy in the political parties. The more worrisome is the insensitivity and display of impunity by political leaders, especially in the two prominent big parties.”
The cleric, however, appreciated the barrage of negative reactions that followed the APC’s decision and asked Nigerians to reject the move using their votes when the time comes in 2023.
The Anglican Primate, however, suggested a political merger between northern and southern-based political parties across the tribal, religious and ideological divides, having good connectivity at the grassroots and the youths, describing it as a game changer in the 2023 elections.
“No one political party has all the solutions to our national challenges and we must learn to manage our diversities which are God’s gifts to us, and they are our strength.
“We need a third force to break the political quagmire. The big parties have taken the citizens for granted for a very long time, but there are other viable alternatives now if proper and sincere negotiations are done. Time is running out,” he said.
The Sun.
