*Ask Buhari to reverse the choice or risk …..
*Northen Christians bemoan continued marginalisation in APC
Governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are kicking against the emergence of ex-governor of Borno State, Sen. Kashim Shettima, as the running mate to the APC Presidential flagbearer, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Governors are scheduled to meet with President Buhari Monday evening in Daura, to formally register their protest before deciding their next move.
Tinubu had announced his possible running mate, Shettima, to the President to substitute the placeholder, Alhaji Masari, from Katsina state.
The announcement immediately created a row in the party as some of the governors, who worked tirelessly to ensure that Tinubu clinched the ticket, considered the manner he broke the news ‘arrogant’ and against the understanding he had with them.
To this end, the governors, a majority of who are from the North-West did not have issues with the choice of Shettima, but with how Tinubu ignored all the understanding they shared, to announce the name.
It was gathered that the governors and Tinubu had been in constant ‘back and forth’ over who will emerge as his running mate.
Alrhough they initially kicked against Shettima, but started to back down since, the governors were however said to have insisted that Tinubu should do the unveiling with them present, after their consent and agreement.
However, they feel that going ahead to announce Shettima as if their feelings did not matter, more so that some of them were uncomfortable with the Muslim-Muslim idea, infuriated them the more.
Aside the governors, Sen. Abbo, from Adamawa State, who was a key player in the Tinubu support groups and committees, sent out a a scathing message, in which he expressed his disappointment in Tinubu, for going against the choice of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Abbo, who promised to formally send in his resignation letter, said if as an ordinary citizen, Tinubu has refused to listen to wise counsel, then, he would be worse as President.
Recall that last Sunday night, a top member of the party, Daniel Bwala, resigned his membership over the ‘Muslim-Muslim’ ticket saga.
Bwala wrote on the social media; “Tonight, I officially resign my membership of @OfficialAPCng on principles and conviction that I hold so dear.
“At this time of our national existence, our efforts and energy should gravitate towards uniting our people.”
There are several other Northern Christians who feel their contributions towards building the APC were not considered at all and have made up their mind to either resign or work against the party’s interest.
“How can they tell us Shettima is more qualified than all of us? What are his credentials or pedigree? Are they saying they are not sensitive to what is going on in the country?
“Some.of these our leaders are so straight jacketed and religiously inclined they can’t change at all. What kind of chap is that, saying we are just morons in the party?
“Let us see how it will work. They have actually made up their mind to Islamic this country, God forbid. They think only the Muslims matter? Let us wait and see.
“Since they feel that Christians don’t matter, they shouldn’t expect our votes in the election,” an aggrieved national officer of the APC who pleaded for a nobility said.
He recounted how the Buhari government completely sidelined Christians both in the North and in the Southern parts of the country and gave them low profile appointments, stressing that the mere thought of a Muslim-Muslim ticket is an affront against them, which they must resist.
“They think we are fools. We have learnt the hard way. Look at all our communities, they have refused been overrun by Islamic fundamentalists and the government is doing nothing to rescue us.
“In fact we now fully understand they are the ones fuelling terrorism in our communities. We shall see come February and March general elections. We can’t be fooled any longer,” he added.