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The presidential candidates of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; and Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi; yesterday clashed over the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
While Atiku and Obi’s campaigns opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC, describing it as divisive and a disaster, the APC countered that the track records of its candidates and the solution-driven and all-inclusive progressive programmes they have for Nigerians would prevail.
APC added that given the manner Atiku snatched the PDP ticket, contrary to the North-South power-sharing arrangement, he was the divider of Nigeria.
Atiku kick-started the clash when he pooh-poohed the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the APC, saying it was a recipe for disaster.
Speaking in Jos at the 2023 extra-ordinary General Church Council, GCC of the Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, Atiku asked Christians to have confidence in him, adding that they would gain a lot from his administration if elected.
Atiku, who spoke through former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, encouraged Nigerians of different religious backgrounds to live in peace and harmony, stressing that God did not make mistake in creating people and allowing them to belong to different tribal, and ethnic and religious backgrounds.
The PDP standard bearer spoke as the Labour Party described same faith ticket as divisive. Meanwhile, the APC declined a fresh response to the PDP and LP, saying it stood on its earlier reasons for choosing Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima (who are Muslims) as presidential and vice presidential candidates.
Atiku said: “A divided Nigeria cannot achieve the purpose of God for us as a people. A divided country will only keep us in darkness and disunity. All through my life, I have lived and worked harmoniously with people of other faiths and ethnic affiliations with ease because of mutual understanding and respect.
“My business and political partners come from different backgrounds with zero expressions of religious or ethnic sentiments. I have never contemplated the same faith ticket throughout my political career. The Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by some people is a recipe for disaster. It is an indication that not everyone will be carried along in government.
“As Governor-elect of Adamawa in 1999, I gave my full backing to Boni Haruna (a Christian) to take over when I was nominated Vice President against all odds.
“Boni governed Adamawa for eight uninterrupted years. In Taraba, Rev Jolly Nyame was encouraged to contest the governorship in 1999 just after losing the local government primary elections. We have and are working together with many Christians across the nation and the Church should have confidence in my capacity, experience and ability to deliver”.
Speaking for himself, Dogara admonished Christians to take stock of what each presidential candidate has done for Northern Christians and meditate on it. Quoting copiously from the Bible, Dogara likened Atiku to the popular centurion in the Bible, whose faith was acknowledged by Jesus because of his determination to help across divides.