Politics
TINUBU: Catholic priest supports Muslim-Muslim ticket, says it’s political dexterity
…Urges aggrieved persons to join Labour Party
By Paul Eso
Following the outrage that greeted the unveiling of former Borno State governor, Senator Kashim Shettima, as the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, by the party’s flag bearer, Bola Tinubu, popular Catholic cleric, Rev. Fr. Oluoma Chinenye John, has described the move as a political dexterity.
Nomination of Shetitima means that the APC is flying a Muslim-Muslim ticket as both Tinubu and his running mate are members of Islamic faith.
The Muslim-muslim ticket has generated lots of concerns and vociferous outrage from mostly Nigerians of southern region and perhaps, the Northern Christian minority.
This is the first time in 30 years that such pairing by a major political party will occur. The last was in 1993 general election dubbed June 12, in which the late MKO Abiola, a Muslim from the South West ran with Babagana Kingibe, also a Muslim from the North East. They received massive votes from across the country to win the election adjudged to be the most freest, fairest and credible election in the history of Nigeria.
The APC presidential candidate said the spirit of June 12 was upon the country. He’s hopeful that Nigerians would replicate the 1993 outing by massively voting for him and his party in the next year’s presidential election irrespective of religious and tribal leanings.
Reacting through his verified Facebook page, the priest, popularly known as Fada Oluoma, said the move by the ruling party has nothing to do with religion but for electoral victory.
He however, counselled those who are not happy with the APC’s arrangement and or tired of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to join the political revolution being driven by the Labour Party.
READ ALSO: Who is Senator Kashim Shetima, Tinubu’s running mate
“I honestly do understand why some persons feel scared about it, however, I refuse to validate or consolidate that fear for some reasons. APC is just one party, we have other parties in Nigeria. One of the beauties of democracy is the availability of options. Crying over APC’s candidates in the midst of other candidates questions our readiness to change the status quo or our capacity to make and accept informed decisions.
“There’s only one major reason behind the Muslim-muslim ticket by the APC; electoral victory. Without a Muslim VP, the APC will lose significant votes from the North and probably lose the entire presidency. This is the fear and the reason for a Muslim VP. Don’t let anyone beguile you to make it a religious problem, if you do, you will keep losing the big picture.
“I’ll never reduce this issue to religious problem, it’s more of political dexterity. The APC chose electoral votes over religious sentiments. Of course, the party knows a number of christians will be offended, but they still went ahead probably knowing that the mathematics of more votes favour them in this issue more than feelings.
“If you don’t like it, you are right. Crying and bemoaning it? That’s where you and I separate. There’s Labour party that is driving a political revolution, invest in it, be part of it, preach it and convert others if PDP and APC don’t appeal to you.
Whether this is a smart move by APC or not depends on voters. If it’s a bad strategy, it’s the APC that should bemoan it, not you an independent voter. Even card carrying members of a party are not forced to vote the candidates of their party”, the cleric opined.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made significant progress in uploading the results of the Edo State governorship election to its INEC Result Viewing (IREV) platform.
As of today, over 4,173 out of the 4,519 polling units across the state have successfully uploaded their results, which accounts for 92.34% of the total. This initiative allows voters, party agents, and the general public to monitor election outcomes in real time, promoting transparency in the electoral process.
READ MORE: #EdoDecides2024: Ighodalo, Wife Cast Votes
The INEC IREV platform was introduced to enhance the credibility of elections and improve public trust by making results available online for verification.
In Edo State, this system is being closely watched due to the high stakes of the governorship race, which has been marked by strong competition between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Despite this impressive milestone, some results are still pending due to challenges in remote areas, technical issues, and disruptions at some polling units.
INEC has assured the public that efforts are underway to ensure that all polling unit results are uploaded as soon as possible, urging patience and confidence in the process.
Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, has labeled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the most dangerous institution in Nigeria.
He made this claim in a series of posts on his X account on Saturday during the ongoing gubernatorial election in Edo State.
“The most dangerous institution in Nigeria @inecnigeria,” he wrote.
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The Afrobeat singer urged Edo residents to be ready to follow their votes and the result from the polling units up until the state collation centre.
According to him, INEC will not transmit results electronically even after making promises.
“We already know that @inecnigeria will not transmit results electronically so everyone should be ready to follow the vote/result from the polling unit up until the state collation centre.
“Winning is one thing. Being declared a winner is another thing! …. From 7pm make una go Dey mount collation center !! #EdoDecide2024.”
Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, better known as Davido, has expressed his interest in the ongoing Edo State governorship election.
BIZTELLERS reports that residents turned out in large numbers on Saturday to vote in the off-cycle gubernatorial election in Edo State.
Davido has been vocal on X, calling out the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged irregularities in the election process.
His concern raised questions as to why he is so interested in the election, considering that he is not from Edo State.
Addressing the questions via his X handle, Davido explained that his late mother, Imade Veronica Adeleke was from Edo State.
He further explained that aside from his late mom being an Edo State indigene, he should be concerned as a Nigerian.
He recalled calling out INEC during the Osun State gubernatorial election when his uncle, the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, was contesting.
The singer wrote, “My mom is from Edo for those wondering why I’m interested in the election … but we as Nigerians should be concerned sha .. @inecnigeria shame on you I know how many times I had to come in here and rant before they got it right in Osun ! It’s really bad. God help us.”
Davido previously endorsed the PDP candidate, Asuen Ighodalo, for the Edo gubernatorial election through his Instagram account.
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