2023: Why Catholic Bishop Conference Has Not Taken Action On APC Muslim-Muslim Ticket – Onaiyekan

The Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan has unveiled why the Catholic Bishop Conference is yet to announce any public decision on the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket adopted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 elections.

Speaking on Wednesday during the 1st synod of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, held in Ede, Osun state, Bishop Onaiyekan said there was no need for the church to be making public statements about the decision of a political party. He delivered a paper on the topic, ‘Church as an agent of dialogue and reconciliation in our community in the quest for just and peaceful societal order.’ It would be recalled that the Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima ticket put forward by the APC despite objection from a section of Nigerians has caused controversy in the political set up of the country. The APC has also lost some members who are uncomfortable with the development and publicly expressed their reservations. Speaking about the issue, the clergyman said the decision of the APC is a calculated move to get votes. He however added that on his own, he won’t vote for the same faith ticket of the ruling party. Onaiyekan stated that what the church leadership should do is to explain the implications and consequences of such a ticket to its members and allow them make an informed decision. He said, “You will note that the Catholic Bishop Conference has not taken any action on the Muslim/Muslim ticket of All Progressives Congress. The reason is that the Muslim/Muslim ticket is a political decision taken by APC as a party on the calculation that it is their best way to win the election or assure their victory in the 2023 general election. “There is no point telling them not to take such a decision, all you can say is that they will have to accept responsibility for the decision they have taken. I only have one voter’s card and by God’s grace, I will use it. I will definitely not vote for a Muslim/Muslim ticket. That is my decision. “But since is a political decision of a political party, what the church can do officially is bring out the fact and tell people that they should take their political decision accordingly.” Others who attended the event included a representative of the Grand Imam of Osun State, Sheik Musa Animasaun, the president Osun Baptist Conference, Dr Paul Kolawole, and the Secretary of the International Council for Ifa Religion, Dr. Abiodun Fafolarin.

This article was originally published on Naija News