A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Wednesday said the Christian Association of Nigeria’s opposition to the All Progressives Congress’ Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket was godly.
Dogara, a chieftain of the APC, added that CAN’s position on the matter is the position of all those who love justice.
The former Speaker spoke during a symposium on the leadership crises in Nigeria, which held in Abuja as part of activities marking the 12th General Assembly of CAN.
He said, “I want to say emphatically that CAN’s position on the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in this country, at this moment of national peril, is not just CAN’s or that of Babachir Lawal, whom many have accused of being the only one who has turned it into an issue.
“I believe it (the rejection of same-faith ticket) is also the Almighty’s own position, because we serve a God of justice. He is the righteous one as well as the author of diversity, and he wants us, as diverse as we are, to come together.
“So, CAN’s stance is the position of all of us (Christian political leaders) who love righteousness, justice as well as diversity and are working to harness these for the advancement of this country.
“In as much as what we are fighting for is a godly position, every other position is ungodly. There’s no middle-way. It is either you are for righteousness, justice and inclusivity or you are working against the unity of this great country.”
The outgoing President of CAN, Samson Ayokunle, expressed doubts about the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a transparent election in 2023.
He said, “I don’t think INEC is ready for credible elections. I relocated from my former residence to a new one in the same town and reported to INEC since last year, but up till now, the commission has not made any update in my polling unit.
“I went again in February this year and was told that an approval has to be given from the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. Is Abuja in heaven?
“Many Nigerians perceive this as just a ploy by INEC to disenfranchise qualified voters. INEC should not be the problem between us and credible election in 2023.”
