Muslim-Muslim ticket: Northern Christian elders accuse APC of ‘using money to divide Christians’

The Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of using “monetary incentives” to cause division among Christians in the north.

The forum alleged that the APC is making such moves in an attempt to counter the stand of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the ruling party.

The Christian body also called on Nigerians to reject “divisive and self-seeking politicians”.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ejoga Inalegwu, chairman of NOSCEF, called on Christians to be wary of the antics of politicians ahead of the 2023 elections.

“In 2011, Bola Ahmed Tinubu sought a Muslim-Muslim ticket with Atiku Abubakar and it was rejected. In 2015, he (Tinubu) again, sought for a Muslim-Muslim ticket with President Muhammadu Buhari and it was again rejected,” the statement reads.

“Both Atiku and Muhammadu Buhari from the North, know that having a Muslim from the South would not have added any electoral advantage. In December 2021, Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with a group in Abuja and sold the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“We warned that every patriotic presidential aspirant should avoid same faith ticket to avoid further polarisation of the nation along religious lines.

“Because there was a long-term goal and a purpose to be accomplished, APC went ahead with the single faith venture, with the aim of riding on the wings of divisive religious politics to victory.

“NOSCEF is concerned that apart from the failure of the desire of the architects of the single faith ticket, to cause serious divisions in the forthcoming elections, APC has resorted to clandestine ways of causing division in the body of Christ, by recruiting hitherto unknown bodies in the Body of Christ to counter decisions taken by the umbrella body, CAN and its various organs.”

The NOSCEF chairman called on Christians and Muslims faithful to “disappoint” politicians “who seek to capitalise on religious differences to gain political power”.

“NOSCEF has pleaded that we should not get to this stage and those who are responsible, should take responsibility, rather than causing more divisions, for the mere purpose of winning an election,” he added.

“The church is called upon to be circumspect, vigilant with the antics of politicians. Don’t sell the church and don’t be used to cause disaffection, remember that earthly position and wealth mean nothing before the Almighty, before Whom, we will stand.”