2023: APC Muslim-Muslim Ticket Imminent As Tinubu Set To Win

By James Orji

The National Leader of the ruling APC has been projected to win in the ongoing party’s Special National Convention in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The emergence of Tinubu a former Lagos state governor would present the ruling party in a very difficult situation of fielding two Muslims as President and Vice President for the 2023 presidential election, close watchers of political development say.

The reason is that the North where the running mate to the party’s presidential candidate is expected to come from is predominantly Muslims. Any attempt by the party to pick a Christian as vice presidential nominee, analyst insist could spell doom for APC planning to hold on to power next year.

In 1993, the Social Democratic Party, SDP paired business mogul, Bashorun Moshood Kasimawo Abiola and Babagana Kingibe in the election that the party later won. But Abiola was not allowed to rule due to the cancellation of the election by then dictator General Ibrahim Babangida.

Since then, political parties have avoided a situation where the president and his vice are from the same religion due to the religious polarization in the country.

For instance, the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is a Muslim from the north while his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is a Christian from the south.

While the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar is expected to pick a Christian running mate from the south, it would be a different ball game for Tinubu who is expected to win the APC presidential ticket.

Considering the circumstance surrounding his emergence, Tinubu will have no option than to look to the core north, for instance, to pick his running mate.

It’s not yet clear who his running mate would be, but sources in the APC told the magazine that the party would be looking towards the North east for a running mate for Tinubu.

“The North is predominantly Muslims, therefore, any attempt to choose a Christian running mate will not help the party. The north will be forced to pull its block votes for the opposition if this happens,” a source in the APC said.

This will definitely be unacceptable to Christians in the country who have accused Northern muslims of power dominance.

For instance, the Niger State Youth Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN had warned three weeks ago, that it will vote against any political party that fields a Muslim/Muslim ticket in the forthcoming general election

Lona Emmanuel, the leader of the group had called “on all political parties in Niger state to as a matter of necessity field Christian candidates as either substantive or deputy positions and reasonable appointive offices.

“As equal stakeholders in Niger state who are concerned about the development of the state, we are ready to mobilise Christians not to support and vote massively for any political platform that will not recognize them as equal stakeholders by presenting the same faith ticket for the forthcoming general elections.

“Since the return of democracy, there has been a religious biased root amongst the political class that has sidelined Christians from Governance and administration of the state. This we believe has led to the gradual reduction of the government’s impact in the state.”

“We, therefore, bring to the notice of all the political parties in Niger state and the well meaning stakeholders to ensure a fair spread of political participation with Christians across Niger state as opposed to the demand of major political parties at the moment.

“We are convinced that whichever party gets the bulk of Christian votes will without a doubt carry the day. What we are demanding is not new in our country where we practice the quota system,” Emmanuel said

But the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, the umbrella body of Muslims in the country led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar has played down fears that a Muslim-Muslim ticket could cause problems in the country. The NSCIA said power belongs to God who gives it to whoever he wishes.

According to the Director of Administration, NSCIA, Zubairu Ugwu, “As Muslims, therefore, we have no choice but to continue to supplicate to Allah to grant that only Nigerians who possess the requisite capacity, integrity, sagacity, empathy, positive attitude, passion, administrative acumen, zeal for selfless service, etc., shall eventually triumph at both their respective party primaries and subsequent general elections, at all tiers of government in Nigeria.”

But responding to the issue on Tuesday, after a viral text message alleging that he intended to pick a muslim running mate after wining the APC presidential primary, Tinubu said he has not made up his mind.

He said the party will not jump the gun, but will cross the bridge when it’s time to decide who his running mate should be.

“We have been informed of a text message going round APC delegates at Eagle Square, Abuja purportedly from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, claiming that with his imminent victory at the APC Presidential Primary and emergence as the party’s presidential candidate, the APC leader has now decided on a Muslim-Muslim ticket,’ Tinubu said on his official twitter page.

“This is nothing but a lie. It has no basis whatsoever. We enjoin the distinguished delegates to ignore this completely.

“The fake text message is a ploy by some undemocratic elements to confuse and hoodwink delegates sensing that Asíwájú Tinubu is comfortably coasting home to victory.

“Truth is Asíwájú is destined for victory and no one can scuttle this through their shameful tactics.

“Asíwájú is not known to jumping guns. He will deal with all important matters pertaining to his presidential pair at the appropriate time, after his victory has been fully established by the distinguished delegates.”