Senator Smart Adeyemi (APC Kogi West) disclosed to journalists two days ago, a proposed legislation, against same faith presidential ticket by candidates of any political party. Taiye Odewale reports
Contentious issue of same faith presidential ticket
Nigeria being a highly diversified country in terms of cultural differences, ethnicity and religion, power sharing and political offices, particularly, at the centre, has always been done in ways of carrying the differing peoples along.
For the positions of President and Vice President, the four critical variables of North and South, Islam and Christianity have always been adopted and adhered to, by any political party that wins at the centre right from the first republic to the present fourth republic.
Though the late Chief Moshood Abiola and Babagana Kingibe ticket of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1993, would have knocked off religion aspect of the variables, but the presidential election presumed to have been won by Abiola was annulled with attendant abortion of the third republic entirely.
Adherence to the four variables since 1999
Since the commencement of the present fourth republic, the four variables have always reflected in the Presidential and Vice Presidential power configuration at the centre as seen with Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku Abubakar presidency between 1999 and 2007, late Umaru Yar’ Adua and Goodluck Jonathan presidency from 2007 to May 2010, Goodluck Jonathan and Namadi Sambo Presidency from May 2010 to May 2015 and President Muhammadu Buhari and Professor Yemi Osinbajo presidency from May 2015 till date.
2023 projection and same faith ticket of APC
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with the widest and formidable structure across the country, is believed to be the party to beat in the 2023 general elections, the reason why many Nigerians have focused more on its Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates.
Little wonder that when the Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, came up with Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate, many concerned Nigerians, particularly Christians, kicked against it by saying the choice negates the religion aspect of the variables.
Expectedly, the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu and his teeming supporters across the country, rose to the occasion by allaying the fears raised by the Christian community and some other Nigerians.
Senator Adeyemi’s proposed legislation
Though in support of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Kashim Shettima ticket, Senator Smart Adeyemi (APC Kogi West), on Sunday in Abuja addressed the press where he disclosed that an amendment to section 84 of the 2022 electoral act is being planned to prevent same faith ticket after the 2023 general election.
He said: “For the purposes of unity, we must balance up our diversity to a large extent. And it is in view of this that I am making some proposals. I have had discussions with the leadership of the Senate, my party leadership and a good number of senators.
“The solution I hereby propose, in order not to find ourselves in a similar situation in the future, is that the electoral act be amended as follows:
“The amendment of Section 84 of the electoral act 2022 by inserting a new sub section (3) that no political
party shall nominate candidates of the same religion as presidential
candidates or vice-presidential candidates after this dispensation.
“I hereby propose the amendment of Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 by inserting a new subsection 3 which which will prohibit same faith ticket for presidential election.
“When this is accommodated, it will serve as a guide against any oversight such as this in the future as further occurrences will be deemed as silent policies which will be capable of bringing down the
fabrics of the nation.
“For me as a statesman, I owe
myself the responsibility to speak the truth at all times irrespective
of mischievous misinterpretations.
“The civil war was fought in a
bid to remain a united nation. We fought the war because the South east is an integral and vital part
of the nation. If they were without value, there would be no reason to fight the war. But because
an average person from the south east is endowed, like all other parts of the country, we fought to remain one.
“Therefore, any position that is good for any yourba, hausa, gwarri, Kanuri Tiv or Nupe man must equally be good for an Igbo, Okun Yoruba of Kogi State,Fulani, igala, Ebira or Idoma indigene of Nigeria.
“Let no one assume that any tribe will be subdued any longer. The era for that is gone. We must rise
to the reality of the modern world that all men were created equal and we must enable equal opportunities despite our diversities.”
Support for Tinubu/Shettima Ticket
He however assured Nigerians that despite the same faith ticket, Tinubu/Shettima are the best for Nigeria come 2023.
He said: “Tinubu and Shettima should be assessed based on their pedigrees and not their religious faith or even political party.
“Nigerians should look at the individuals candidates contesting for the presidency in 2023 and not the political parties they belong to or religion they practice.
“Based on my conviction , despite the same faith ticket, Tinubu and Shetimma are the best for the country come 2023.
“They have demonstrated required capacities, competence and commitment while in office as Executive Governors of Lagos and Borno State separately.
“Asiwaju Tinubu in particular, demonstrated his pan Nigerian disposition with his cabinet composition devoid of tribal or religious sentiments
“He and Shetimma, are in actual fact, Nigeria’s candidates that should be voted for.
“I therefore take this opportunity to appeal to our preferred incoming President and Vice President,
not to fail Nigerians after the victory of our party by being sensitive to the scepticism being expressed by the Christian part of the nation.
“It is imperative that they balance up key appointments to give all Nigerians a sense of belonging”.
