CAN Is Not a Political Party, Says Oshiomhole

By Uche Mbah

A former governor of Edo State, Adam Oshiomhole, has thrown his weight behind the Muslim-Muslim ticket presented by the All Progressives Congress party towards the 2023 Presidential elections.

Speaking as a guest on Arise TV’s Morning Show  Wednesday, the former APC National Chairman said the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, is not a political party.

“You do not expect people who have expectations and when they suddenly find that they are dashed, to celebrate in terms of personal interests”, he said.

Oshiomhole has been silent since he was sacked by the ruling party as its Chairman.

The party itself has been embroiled in the Muslim-Muslim ticket controversy, with Northern Christians, led by Babachir Lawal and Yakubu Dogara, up in arms against what they perceived as anti Christian posture of the party.

Both politicians belong to the ruling APC.

But fielding questions on the programe, Oshiomole said CAN should be more concerned about what the chosen candidates can do rather than bicker over faith.

“I think Nigeria’s challenges are beyond religion. If religion is the answer, we have both Churches and we have more Mosques. I think the issue before us, which we have to spend time discussing is what will any of the Presidential candidates do differently to expect a different outcome,” he said.

According to him, he will prefer to look at the background of the politicians involved. “I would like to look at their background because none of them is new, or a stranger to public service. I want to be able to evaluate what they did before to convince me as to what they will do differently if given the opportunity.

“I think these are the issues and given the serious situation we are in, in terms of the economy, security, you name it, I think this is what we should devote them to, to be honest, for me is dysfunctional, and evidence exists that Nigeria was probably at his best where religion did not feature whether under military rule and even thereafter.”

He demanded evidence that Muslims are safer right now, “relative to Christians or that Christians are safer relative to Muslims.”

According to him, Tinubu never participated in governance under APC.

“It is the fact that Asiwaju by himself said yes he co-founded APC. I was a co-founder Governor of APC, along with Fashola and other Governors.

“But he never participated in governance. Never held any position in government. He didn’t carry out any contract on behalf of government.”

Defending President Buhari, Oshiomhole said he, Buhari, inherited a terrible economic situation. According to him, Buhari has made some progress but new problems keep emerging.

Buhari has been in the saddle for seven years and counting.