An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Farouk Aliyu, has said that many Christians have become more accepting of the party’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket compared to the period leading up to the 2023 general election.
Speaking on The Morning Show aired on Arise Television on Thursday, Aliyu maintained that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has addressed earlier concerns about possible religious exclusion and reassured many Nigerians through its actions.
Aliyu made the remarks while responding to President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
In support of the President’s choice, the APC chieftain argued that the party had already secured the trust and confidence of many Nigerians during the 2023 general election, making the ticket acceptable to a broad section of the electorate.
“Our leader, the President, chose wisely not to alter the winning ticket.” He stated that the Christians in this country are now at ease, significantly more at ease than when we proposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
He remembered that the APC’s choice to nominate two Muslim candidates in 2023 sparked significant backlash due to worries that Christians might be marginalized in governance.
“At that time, there was great uproar over the fear that Christians would be sidelined.” “Now it is a matter of history that no one is being marginalized based on their religion,” said Aliyu.
He claims that Tinubu has ruled impartially regarding religion since taking office.
“President Tinubu is guiding this nation as a Nigerian, not as someone with any religious affiliation,” he stated.
The APC leader stated that the party was pleased with keeping Shettima as Tinubu’s vice-presidential candidate, pointing out that altering the ticket might have led to avoidable political issues.
“Our choice now, led by the party and its leader, is to keep Kashim Shettima, and we are pleasedthat the ticket remains unchanged, allowing us, as a party, to avoid considering our next steps,” he stated.
Aliyu conveyed assurance that Nigerians would once more back the Tinubu-Shettima ticket in the 2027 presidential election.
“We attempted it during chaotic times, when it seemed nearly impossible, and Nigerians had faith in us, provided us the opportunity, and we are doing it once more. We trust that Nigerians will have faith in us and provide us another opportunity with the Muslim-Muslim ticket,” he stated.
The APC’s choice to nominate Tinubu, a Muslim from the South-West, alongside Shettima, a Muslim from the North-East, for its presidential ticket before the 2023 election ignited a heated national discussion.
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