|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Hassan Jonga, NNCP National Chairman
By Anthony Maliki
As political parties prepare to beat the deadline for the submission of their Presidential running mates to the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Thursday 17 June, the Northern Nigeria Christian Politicians, (NNCP) has kicked against a Muslim-Muslim ticket of any guise.
It stressed that as a political pressure group, the NNCP view with grave concern calls by some notable politicians in the country to encourage both candidates of the same faith to be fielded as President and Vice President respectively.
This was contained in a statement by Hon. Hassan Jonga, NNCP National Chairman and Hon. (Dr.) Ayuba Pam Dangwong, National Secretary-General to Apex News Exclusive.
It noted with concern plots by the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) to field Muslim-Muslim ticket pointing out that the move by those who believe that religion does not matter in the affairs of this country should be told in clear terms that Nigeria occupies a sensitive position in the eyes of the international community and any deliberate manoeuvres to act otherwise will paint the country in a bad light.
NNCP explained that as a people and as a nation, politicians should know the merit and demerit of fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket in a society that has become so volatile as far as matters of religion are concerned.
The statement said NNCP views with the utmost sense of regret that while other nations of the world are engaged in spearheading innovations in science and technology, the myopic political psyche of some leaders leaves much to be desired.
It called on political parties especially the ruling APC flag bearer, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu to show exemplary leadership by nominating a Christian deputy from any part of the northern region.
The organization equally draws attention that the demographic population of the “supposed Christian minority” in the north represents an entire zone put together and should be henceforth jettisoned.
“We have paid our dues to the north and it behoves our Muslim brothers to accept this reality, any attempt to politically undermine our strength will spell doom to whosoever,” the statement stressed.
NNCP noted that as Christian politicians from the northern states, the onus lies on the ruling party to do the needful by fielding a Christian deputy as Vice Presidential candidate to guarantee support.
It said Christians in the north are more intelligently gifted and have the capacity to provide good leadership if given the chance pointing out that after all Christians from the north in times past and the current government are doing fantastically well in their fields of assignment.
