2023: Middle Belt group rejects same faith ticket, threatens to mobilise against APC

The Middle-Belt United Assembly, (MBUA), has rejected the All Progressives Congress, APC, joint presidential ticket, warning that the Muslim/Muslim ticket is unacceptable.

The group said the pairing of Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu with Kashim Shettima, all Muslims will create more challenges for Nigeria.

In a statement issued by MBUA President, Moses Mwarga Aji after its emergency meeting in Kaduna, on Tuesday, said the group, will mobilise against the same faith presidential ticket in 2023 to sustain the unity of the country.

He said Nigerians irrespective of religion overwhelmingly voted for the late MKO Abiola and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe in 1993 due to mutual understanding and the relative peace enjoyed at that time which is not the same today as the nation is tackling the issue of mistrust, insecurity and division along religious lines.

Aji maintained that Nigeria is not Afghanistan or Pakistan as Christians would not be relegated or subdued to become second-class citizens.

The statement added that any serious leader must consider the unity, peace and stability of Nigeria first before taking a political decision that will jeopardize the oneness of the country.

Part of the statement read: “Governor Nasir El-Rufai experimented Muslim/Muslim ticket in 2019 election in Kaduna State and there was no reaction. Now, the experiment has moved to the national level which will add more problems to our existing challenges. How can a leader govern a complex country like Nigeria with only people of the same religion as the President and Vice President where the population of Muslims and Christians are almost the same? We will mobilise against the same faith ticket in 2023” he said