Akeredolu adds his voice to those concerned about the APC's same faith presidential ticket

GOVERNOR Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has joined the ranks of those expressing concern over the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of his party the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year's elections saying Christians have a right to be worried.

In June, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the former Lagos State governor,  emerged as the APC presidential candidate after coasting home in a landslide victory at the party's convention in Abuja. Following his victory, however, Asiwaju Tinubu laboured to select a running mate after publicly declaring that he will pick a Christian from the northeast geo-political zone as his deputy.

 Eventually, after weeks of prevarication, Asiwaju Tinubu ended up selecting a fellow Muslim in the form of former Borno State governor Senator Kashim, Shettima as his running mate. His choice has polarised the country as the Christian faithful feel highly marginalised, especially in the northeast and north central geo-political zones.

Already, groups like the Middle Belt Congress have called on Senator Shettima to stand down, while a body known as the APC Northern Christians Leaders has been formed to oppose the same faith ticket. adding his voice to the debate, Governor Akeredolu said he understands the reservation and apprehension of Christians in the country over the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

However, Governor Akeredolu said that it will be unfair to pass up the opportunity of southern presidency because of same faith ticket. Speaking at the 40th Holy Ghost Convention Dinner of The Sword of the Spirit Ministries held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, the governor explained that he led his colleagues in the Southern Governors’ Forum to demand a southern presidency despite stiff opposition from some quarters.

Governor Akeredolu said: “Luckily, it did not only come to south, it came to the southwest. Now, where do we stand? I understand your feelings because I’m one of you. I am a Christian. All of us here are worried. What will be our gain and that, why is my party, the APC throwing up a Muslim/Muslim ticket.

“It has been a real issue for all of us. Even members of the party, it has been an issue for us. We have debated it, fought it and we have done so many things on it. I have always said to people, my fight was for southern president.

"Now it has come to the southwest, will I now throw the baby away with the bathwater? Can I, in all honesty, do it? Should I, in all honesty, do it?

“All of us here have lived together for years and we didn’t allow religion to bring fight among us. We have Muslims in our families and there is no fight. We have many leaders in Yorubaland who have both Muslims and Christians in their families and there is no fight.

“So, we want to appeal to our people that this is our time. I want to appeal to all our senior pastors and general overseers to help talk to their followers. We politicians can only do little. This is our time, please don’t be angry.”