The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), has vehemently opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the ruling party, the All Progressives Congreesd (APC)
The Youth group of the apex Christian body gave the indication during a world press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, addressed by its President, Owoyemi Olushola (JP).
Olushola recalled that the YOWICAN had earlier written an open letter on the choice of the APC to settle for a single faith ticket in the build-up to the 2023 general elections.
He acknowledged that candidates have the right to choose who becomes their running mate, but however expressed concern over the rising insecurity bedevilling the nation, adding that any well-meaning presidential candidate will focus on exclusivity.
He said, “We are all aware that in the past weeks, the Nigerian mainstream media and the general public have been awash with the discussions on the Muslim-Muslim ticket by the APC, one of the political parties in the build-up to the 2023 general elections.
“These discussions have further snowballed into heated debates across the length and breadth of our great and beloved country Nigeria.
“The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), having written an open letter to that effect initially, in further steps also invited you here to restate the stand made by the National CAN and many other Christian bodies to condemn and reject any presidential ticket in totality that lacks religious balance.
“We clearly want to emphasize that this is not healthy for the highly diversified Nigerian space, especially in the face of the growing and alarming insecurity in our nation at the moment.
“Any well-meaning presidential candidate will focus on the all inclusive Federal Character.
“While we appreciate and recognize that candidates of political parties have the right to present their choice candidates, for national interest, the parties should be sensitive and do everything humanly possible not to create or endorse any perception that could create fear and division amongst Nigerians.”
“Accordingly, the YOWICAN calls on all peace-loving Christian youths and their counterparts in other faiths not to allow themselves to be bought over or cajoled into accepting actions and decisions that are not for the unity and progress of Nigeria for peanuts. “Besides, every youth is called upon to register and, get their PVCs and mobilize peers to be ready to come out en mass to vote against divisive combinations of any party, to enthrone a government which unites the country and restore s peaceful coexistence.”
He further said, “Consequently, the Nigerian Christian youth are not unaware of the division and tension currently overheating an already heated polity in Nigeria and, therefore, will not support or encourage any action or decision capable of further dividing and setting this nation on fire.
“Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket insults the sensitivity of Nigerians and the Christian youths are saying a big NO!”