After so much backlash against the attempt to foist a Single-faith joint Presidential ticket on members of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) added to the party’s inability to unveil its Vice-Presidential candidate, speculations are rife that the Party may have jettison the Muslim-Muslim ticket after all.
APC on Thursday, postponed the unveiling ceremony without giving any reasons. Also, no new date has been announced for the unveiling.
Tinubu had on Sunday, announced Shettima as his running mate, saying the former Borno State Governor was picked to bring about good governance.
The APC presidential candidate had been struggling to convince Nigerians the rational behind the decision which many party members believe is a suicide mission, even Tinubu’s close ally, Babachi Lawal did not mince words by spelling out the level of damage it will cause the party.
Many of those against the decision in the party who resigned positions and some their membership could not explain what manner of democracy which is suppose to engender fairness and equitable representation would overlook a major segment, the christians.
However, his decision was meant to prioritize national growth and development above “religious sentiments” in picking Shettima, he had indicated
According to him, Shettima’s career in politics and beyond shows that “he is eminently qualified not only to deliver that all-important electoral victory”.
The APC presidential candidate recalled that in 1993, Nigerians embraced Chief MKO Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe, in “one of our fairest elections ever held”.
He explained that if we truly understood the challenges upon Nigeria, citizens would place competence in governance above religious sentiment.
“The spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023,” he added.
However, the APC had failed to officially announce Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate four days after.
Recall that controversy greeted Shettima’s choice as some northern governors and other stakeholders in the party expressed reservations.
Also, many prominent Nigerians and groups including the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, faulted the selection of Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate, warning the APC against having a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
These concerns have led to mass resignations from the party.
As at the time of filing this report, no fewer than 10 APC members have resigned their membership of the party to register their displeasure over the same faith pairing.
Few hours after the announcement, a chieftain of the party and legal practitioner, Daniel Bwala, announced the resignation of his membership of the party.
Also, a member of Tinubu Support Group and senator representing Adamawa North, Elisha Abbo, while resigning from the party, expressed his disgust with Tinubu’s choice of Shettima describing it as irresponsible.
A chieftain of the party and a veteran Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, also resigned his membership.
Similarly, some strong supporters and allies of the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, such as Prince Tonye Princewill, former Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, Dawari George, Marvin Yobana, Nkemka Amadi and Robinson Elechi, have started dumping the APC in Rivers State.
This development comes just a few days after he appealed to his supporters not to be angry but to cast their votes for the APC in the 2023 elections.
Princewill in a letter addressed to his APC ward 3 Chairman in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers, disclosed that his resignation was in connection with the choice of Muslim vice presidential candidate by the party’s presidential candidate.
Also, Semenitari, a former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in her resignation letter wrote: “I write to resign my membership of APC with effect from today. I appreciate the friendship, camaraderie and opportunities that this platform has provided me to serve my state, region and country even as I wish the party well.”
Furthermore, another chieftain of the party in Delta State, Air Vice Marshal Frank Ajobena (retd.), has also joined the increasing number of the APC members who has dumped the ruling party in protest against the Muslim-Muslim ticket.