The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), on Sunday protested the choice of Senator Kashim Shettima as the substantive running mate for the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2023 election.
The National President of the forum, Dr. Bitrus Pogu described the Muslim-Muslim idea of the APC as a danger to the collective wellbeing and unity of Nigeria
The National President told newsmen in Makurdi that the choice is an unfortunate development and an evil plot that Nigerians should resist in 2023.
Dr Pogu noted that the development was indicative of the ignorance and insensitivity of the APC to the mood and pains of Nigerians at this point in time.
“It is an unfortunate development, unfortunate in the sense that we are living in a terrible period where the country is being tormented by insurgents from all over the place starting from Borno with Boko Haram and Shettima is from there.
“And if such is coming now without consideration to the plurality of this country with regards to region, religion and other issues, I think it is an unfortunate development.
And for the presidential candidate of the APC to bow to such a pressure is an unfortunate development. One would wish that they would look at what would be beneficial to Nigeria at this time.
“Nigerians have not recovered from the insurgency coming from mainly Islamic origin, it shows that the APC is insensitive to the plight of Nigeria and Nigerians. And it’s not ready to bring healing, reconciliation and rescue Nigeria from the problems it is facing.
“Now it is also an unfortunate development because this time is not the same with the MKO Abiola time, which was several years ago. These are times that religion should be handled with care.
“We believe that Nigerians, both Muslim and Christian would rise up and defeat this evil because, if it does succeed then, I doubt if Nigeria will get out of it.”
“There are so many suspicious things going on which points accusing fingers to this government of being complicit or at least being lenient towards the insurgency which is predominantly of Islamic origin. For this same political party to now foist a Muslim-Muslim ticket, I think it’s an unfortunate development. But I believe that Nigerians will defeat it, and we’ll get out of it.
“The ticket poses a danger to the collective wellbeing and unity of the country. At a time when we have insurgents of different forms, Boko Haram, herdsmen militia, ISWAP and others of Islamic religion all from the North and then to say you are foisting on Nigeria a Muslim-Muslim ticket, it is the most unpatriotic presentation at a time like this.
“It means APC has no sense of plurality and unity in Nigeria. Of course if you look at appointments of the government in place, you will see that nepotism and religious leanings have been the case and it will be unfortunate that the APC would go farther in this direction.
“Some are saying it doesn’t matter but that is not correct at this time. Anybody who says it doesn’t matter is an enemy of the country, he doesn’t love Nigeria and doesn’t want Nigeria to succeed,” the MBF national president decried.
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