Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has warned all political parties against bringing in Muslim-Muslim ticket, insisted that it would backfire.
The National President of CAN, Dr Samson Ayokunle, made this known on Sunday at the interdenominational church service to mark the 2022 Democracy Day celebration held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
Ayokunle, represented by the President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and Founder of Sword of The Spirit Ministries International, Bishop Francis Wale-Oke, warned that such a step would be disastrous for the nation.
There were reports that the APC and its candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, might settle for a Muslim-Muslim ticket, given the party’s difficulty in finding a Christian from the North, who would be acceptable enough to boost the party’s chances in the election.
This is as Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, said there was nothing wrong with a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and that competency should rather be prioritised.
Speaking on the theme ‘More than Conquerors’, Ayokunle noted that any party that wishes to produce the next president must not undermine the Christian community.
He said, “While I congratulate the candidates, I must sound this warning; please do not fly a Muslim-Muslim ticket. It would not fly. It will not stand. Rather, it would set the nation against each other.
“The candidate who will emerge is the one who works with the church. Please, do not alienate the church. If you embrace equity, fairness and justice, the Nigerian electorate will reward you with their votes at the polls and they will give you their support.”
