A Group by the name ‘Plateau Our Heritage Initiative’ (POHRI) has berated the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the decision as a decision which negates the spirit of National Unity and Cohesion. The group made this position known in a statement issued to journalists in Jos, the Plateau State capital on Thursday 14th July 2022.
According to the statement which was signed by Hon Alexander Yolah Kwapnoe and Comrade Friday Bako (Chairman and Secretary respectively), the group noted that with the 2023 general elections underway and political parties making frantic efforts to meet up with the deadlines for the submission of candidates, it was important that they bare the minds of the generality of their members and that of majority of the people of Plateau State on the recent choice of the running mate by the Presidential Candidate of the APC.
They noted that while as a Group, they placed emphasis on credibility, competence, character and capacity, equity, fairness and justice, in no way will they fold their arms and watch the unity and cohesion of Nigeria being jettisoned by people who ought to understand the implications of certain political decisions considering the fragility of the Nigerian State at this point in time with the level of suspicion, extremism, gangsterism and cry of marginalization by persons/groups, sections and zones of the Country.
In their own words “It becomes pertinent for us as a group to loudly add our voice to the call by well-meaning Nigerians who are prevailing on the APC and and its Presidential Candidate who is a Muslim from the Southern part of Nigeria to revisit their decision and do what can be endorsed”.
They pointed out that “The Muslim-Muslim Ticket by the APC has generated heated debate that is already causing disaffection among Nigerians”, stressing that “The decision to have Muslim-Muslim Ticket is clearly not taken to reflect National unity/cohesion and if that is allowed then the propensity to have persons and groups being disenchanted is high and that will pave way for suspicion and other unhealthy disposition across the country”.
Group went further to state that “It is therefore instructive to address this issue and give a sense of belonging to all in Nigeria. It is also embarrassing to give an impression that there are no qualified, competent and credible persons in Northern Nigeria that can fit into the equation when we have millions in who are well equipped in Northern Nigeria that are not Muslims but very prepared and ready to serve in any capacity including Presidency other than Muslims”.
They reiterated further that “The Muslim-Muslim Ticket to us is an insult to the other Northern Nigerians who have been contributing their quota to National growth and development. It is unacceptable and the peak of insensitivity if such is allowed to continue.”
The group called on all reasonable Nigerians to question very strongly any Candidate or party that is not considering the unity, oneness and the togetherness of Nigeria in its political decision.
They emphasized that “It is important also to note that Nigeria being a secular State is not therefore for a single religion and no religion should pride itself of having the monopoly of competence and credibility.”
The group wondered what would have happened if a Christian was the Standard Flag Bearer of the APC and picked another Christian as running Mate?, stressing that the unity and peace of Nigeria is of great concern to every concerned Nigerian who will not support anything that will tamper with same.
In closing, the group warned that if nothing is done to address the issue raised, they called on all well-meaning Nigerians to vote for Candidates and Parties that have demonstrated that the unity of Nigeria and the people is their priority since other options that are in tandem with national cohesion and respect for its people abound, that is the beauty of plurality of democracy.
Nigeria Star News 