Muslim-Muslim ticket: ‘Secularity of Nigeria must be respected’ – Anglican Church, asks Buhari to resign

Anglican Communion in Nigeria has joined in the protest over the decision of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to pick Senator Kashim Ibrahim Shettima, as running mate of its Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Reacting to the development, the Anglican Communion in Calabar, Cross River State, Monday, called for the immediate resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government over the choice of a Muslim-Muslim ticket by the APC.

The church’s position was expressed by the Bishop of Calabar Diocese, Rev Professor Nneoyi Egbe during the second session of the eleventh synod of the diocese.

The church also ‘expressed deep disappointment at the decision, even as it rejected the national party, the APC, Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for next year’s election, insisting that the secularity of Nigeria must be respected.

It would be recalled that APC’s Presidential candidate in the 2023 General Elections, Asiwaju Tinubu had, Sunday, announced his decision to pick former Borno State Governor, Kashim Ibrahim Shettima.

 Shettima, a Muslim from the North East region of the country, is a two-term governor of the state and presently the senator representing Borno Central senatorial zone in the National Assembly; a position he has held since 2019.

Addressing journalists in Katsina State on Sunday, Tinubu said he has settled for Senator Shettima as his running mate.

The selection of Shettima put to bed the hopes of some political and religious advocates to see the APC standard bearer pick a Christian for the position.

The move has also irked some stakeholders of the party, as well as others in the North, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) which pulled its support for the Tinubu candidacy.

“President Muhammadu Buhari and his government is deceitful, and insensitive to the plight of Nigerians and the heightened insecurity and should resign immediately even though it is not in the spirit of Nigerian politicians to do so.

“The government has no moral rectitude. They have disappointed Nigerians. How can they be so insensitive and comfortable with the way things are going in Nigeria in recent times. They are a complete failure and their governance is likened to witchcraft,” Rev Egbe said.

“This government thrives on lies. They said Nigeria is very safe. What a fat lie. There’s security yet people cannot travel freely, sleep, people are kidnapped and outrageous ransoms are paid and people are killed wantonly and government merely sends condolence messages,” the cleric continued.