A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Mustapha Aliyu, has said the choice of a Muslim as running mate to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential flagbearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is to divide Nigeria along religious lines, disorganise the people and raise tension among the poor.
Speaking to DAILY POST in Kaduna on Monday, Aliyu noted that no religion is superior to others, hence the practice of Muslim-Christian tickets since the beginning of Democracy in Nigeria.
“It’s practically clear that some people want to declare this country, as a Muslim country. In as much as we have qualified Muslims, we also, have qualified Christians. What stopped him from selecting from among available Christians?” He asked.
He further expressed fears that once Tinubu succeeds in his ambition and plans, Christianity in Nigeria will be a forgotten religion because they will have no say at the national level.
According to him, Christians suffered a lot in some states that have Muslim-Muslim governorship tickets, adding that Christians have the highest attack and the highest number of sacked workers from state government ministries and parastatals.
He said it is clear that some elements in Nigeria want to do away with Christianity when it comes to Federal Government appointments into major positions.
“I am so surprised as this country is turned into ‘my religion is more than your own’, as such, you have no say in anything,” he lamented.
He said our past leaders; Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, see all Nigerians as brothers and sisters, adding that their cooperation as one entity led to the growth of Nigeria until bad elements and criminals eroded our values.