By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
The Igbo socio-cultural apex body, Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide on Thursday carpeted the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections, Bola Tinubu over his choice of running mate.
It maintained that the country is “a secular state with multi-religious, multi-ethnicity and therefore any attempt by one religion to dominate the politic structure would spell room.”
The group said this in a statement by the National Vice President, Ichie Damian Okeke-Ogene, to newsmen in Awka.
He noted that the APC presidential candidate’s choice of Muslim—Muslim ticket is not only ill-timed but also a total disregard for the diversity of the country.
He said this has undermined the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians over the years to bridge religious differences and promote ethnic harmonious co-existence
Okeke-Ogene insisted that “Nigeria is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic country and made it clear that any attempt by one religion to dominate the political structure could only widen the gap of mistrust and destroy the delicate sense of tolerance cultivated over the years.”
According to him, Tinubu’s desperation to be President of Nigeria has destroyed the efforts and sacrifices made by former President Goodluck Jonathan to consolidate the corporate existence of Nigeria when he stated that his political aspiration was not worth shedding the blood of any Nigerian.
He frowned that from his actions, the APC presidential candidate does not care nor is he interested in the unity and peaceful co-existence of Nigeria as a country.
Insecurity: Buhari pledges more support in fight against insurgency
He pointed out that with the challenge of insecurity across the country and widening ethnic divide and agitations, adding that it is “satanic for anybody to introduce Muslim Muslim ticket at this point.”
One commended the leadership of Pan Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo and the convener of Pan Niger Delta Forum and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark for remaining vocal and speaking out on national issues that affect Nigerians.
“South-West and South-South socio-cultural organizations have been consistent in pointing out the injustice meted out to South-East Zone and have been supporting agitations for equity, fairness and good conscience, describing Chief Adebanjo and Chief Clark as models of elder statesmen.”
The Ohanaeze chieftain reminded Nigerians that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi represents the face of new Nigeria without any ethnic colouration, adding that his emergence has engendered a tsunami-like movement across the country.
He assured that Ohanaeze Ndigbo would give Mr Peter Obi the necessary support and encouragement to actualize his aspirations and change the narrative in the country.
