ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has voiced his disapproval of the concept of a Muslim-Muslim ticket in Nigerian politics.
He stated that such a combination is “absolutely wrong” for a diverse nation like Nigeria, characterized by its multi-ethnic and multi-religious composition.
Atiku made this statement during a world conference where he addressed findings from Chicago State University, which alleged that President Bola Tinubu presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He emphasized his commitment to inclusivity in government, explaining, “Till today, I will not do Muslim-Muslim ticket. I don’t have to be president because I don’t believe it is right for this country. It is not right; (it) is absolutely wrong. We are multi-ethnic and multi-religious, and our government should reflect our diversity and our composition.”
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Atiku also shared his past experiences, highlighting a political fallout with President Bola Tinubu in 2007. He claimed that their disagreement arose when he declined to have President Tinubu, another Muslim, as his running mate.
“In 2007, we came together to form AC. And in Lagos, at the convention, I emerged as the winner and got the ticket. After I got the ticket, he sent about five or six party men – some of them are here… They came to me and said to me that Bola wanted to be my running mate. I said: ‘Gentlemen, you are all old enough, and virtually all of you are Christians, with the exception of only one person… What would be your reaction to having a Muslim-Muslim ticket? All of them said, ‘We totally object to it.’ So, where is the ground for him to say I betrayed him?” Atiku explained.
It’s worth noting that despite criticism, Tinubu ran on a same-faith ticket with Kashim Shettima in the 2023 presidential election, winning the election but facing challenges to his victory from opposition parties.
Atiku and Peter Obi of the Labour Party have taken their case to the Supreme Court following the affirmation of Tinubu’s victory by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.