Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu fondly called Jagaban is the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, a winning that does not come easy to get. Many political observers and commentators ascribed his winning to thorough strategic political calculations and grace.
At some point, he almost lost hope but luck came for him. The aura of ‘Emilokan’ was clearly manifested in his life. I’m sure he never subjected himself to a competition as critical as that. I shared with the school of thought of some opinion moulders that had it been Asiwaju lost at that primary, he may not have survived the shock for life.
Las las, mercy and grace of God spoke for him.
Furthermore, we are at the political season where every politician is fighting to be at the dining table at the next political formulation. We can see clearly from the establishment of political structures across the board to galvanize winning. I’m sure many Nigerians belong to one or more Political WhatsApp groups with the hope of getting political connections and patronage.
However, there have been many issues the opposition parties are using to campaign against Asiwaju’s candidacy amongst which is the issue of the Muslim-Muslim ticket.Â
The issue of religion is a serious discussion in Nigerian politics but we must discuss it for the betterment of our nation. The term Muslim-Muslim means (President- Vice President are Muslims) as we have it in Rivers State, and Osun state to just mention but a few where the Governor and the Deputy are Christians.
There are many voters who strongly opined that they would never vote APC ticket because of the Muslim-Muslim ticket on the premise that they were not represented and fear of being Islamised.
The question I keep asking is whether the presidency is for religion’s benefit. Over the years that we are balancing Presidency based on Religion, what is our gain? Has Buhari been a Muslim stopped you from worshipping what you believe in? Has Buhari ever stopped you from going to Church?
What is your account balance as a Muslim for Buhari being a President and what is your account balance as a Christian with Pastor Yemi Osibajo as Vice President?
From my little research, the only reason Asiwaju picked Shetiima a Muslim by faith as Vice Presidential Candidate is to get the vote from the North because Asiwaju himself is more like a Christian than a Muslim someone whose children and wife are Christian.Â
In fact, MC Oluomo is more Muslim than Tinubu because every Muslim must have at least an associated Alfa or Imam but no Alfa can visibly be attributed to Tinubu. Asking Tinubu whose ‘Muslim’ identity is ‘questionable’ in the Northern region to pick a Christian as a running mate when he needs the majority of their vote would be political suicide for him, especially from a region that does not take anything with religion lightly.
In politics, calculation is more important than anything. In fact, some ideas would be morally bad but politically correct; and as a politician, it’s all about winning and nothing else.
If calculations are done very well and all variables are put into consideration, winning becomes inevitable. The idea of Asiwaju picking Shettima was not only because of his competency but also to gather votes from the North East of the Country.
It’s a known fact that President Buhari hails from the North West and it won’t be palatable to pick a running mate from that same zone and the North Central from the beginning of Democracy has always been the home base for the PDP. So you want APC to empower their opposition based?
Asiwaju I know will surely compensate the Christian with other juicy positions. For anyone that understands governance would agree with me that the Post of Secretary to the Government of the Federation is more important than the Vice President.
What the SGF will bring to the table, the Vice President cannot. This is a fact, if you are doubting me, ask Boss Mustapha.
It’s laughable to see that those purportedly celebrating the Winning of Moshood Abiola who rode on the same faith ticket in 1993 are the same person condemning the Asiwaju/Shettima ticket. I keep saying that 2023 will be a critical political history that would open Nigerian eyes to appreciate competency before Religion.
Governance has nothing to do with your religion, the roads being Constructed by Gov. Wike, a Christian in Rivers would not deny other faiths from using it and the development Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo refuses to do would be suffered by all faiths.
My brothers/sisters, do not let anyone twist your brain on religious factors, those who started the singing of Islamization many years back are nowhere to be found and those who stand with humanity are still at peace with their maker. No one can Islamize anyone. There is no compulsion in Islam.
Hunger does not have religion, let’s join together and vote for Asiwaju on the premise of his competency and our love for the development of our country.
Fatai Abiodun is the National Publicity Secretary of the APC Professionals Council. He writes from Abuja. Albarka200709@yahoo.com 08072464004
