The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), seems to have confused on what it wants in the current political dispensation as the nation prepares for the 2023 elections, especially for the Presidency.
In one breath, CAN insisted that its members will not support the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 general poll if he finally settles for Muslim-Muslim ticket. In another breath, the same CAN said that it would not mind the religious combination of the leaders at the helm of the nation’s affairs, so long they provide good leadership, and yet in another, the Association said it would listen to Tinubu on the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket if he seeks to meet its members.
The Assistant General Secretary of CAN, Elder Biodun Sanyaolu, in a statement, first condemned the possible Muslim-Muslim ticket in the ruling APC, saying that CAN has made its position known that Muslim-Muslim ticket will not be supported, even Christian-Christian ticket either.
“It is not about Muslim-Muslim ticket or Christian-Christian ticket; it is the mistrust existing in us for the last seven years which have been so terrible even with Nigeria inter-Religious Council (NIREC).
Elder Biodun however said again: “all we are saying and want is the leader that will do well to everyone, irrespective of class, religion, sex, region, colour, among others.
“All we are craving for is a leader that will be fair to all Christians, Muslims and even Traditionalists. Poverty doesn’t know religion.
“If there is a bomb blast it will kill whoever on its way not minding religion. We want good leadership that will be fair to all and good governance in Nigeria.”
Speaking on whether the association will listen to APC Presidential candidate when campaign starts, Biodun said: “if he comes, we will welcome him and take a look at what they have for Nigerians and the public.”
This was even as Tinubu’s media aide, Tunde Ramon, said that his boss had not made any pronouncement on his running mate.
“Why don’t you wait for him (Tinubu) to announce his plans? What if he opts for Muslim-Christian ticket in the end?
“He is a God fearing man and detribalised Nigerian, he will be fair to all, there is no cause for the alarm.”
