We didn’t represent CAN at Shettima’s unveiling –Bishops

 

. As lawyer drags APC, Tinubu to court over Muslim-Muslim ticket

.Kaduna lawmakers unanimously support Tinubu’s running mate, Shettima

 

IKPO CHIGOZIE, Abuja and VICTORY ORIMEMI, Lagos

 

The Bishops whose attendance at the recent formal unveiling of former Borno Governor, Senator Kashim Shettima, as the running mate to APC’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sparked media controversy and insinuations of sponsored impersonation have showed proof of their status as ordained clerics.

 

The Christian leaders also clarified the widespread impression that they attended the event as representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

 

Briefing newsmen Monday in Abuja, secretary of the clerics’ umbrella body, the Muslim-Christian Love Foundation, Bishop Adams Abel King, who read their statement on behalf of others, said they never portrayed themselves as emissaries of Christian Association on Nigerian (CAN) at the event.

 

Bishop Abel King also said their solidarity with Shettima and the APC was informed by his transformation of Borno state, where he handed management of social relations, including the protection of rights for all regardless of religion, while he was the governor of the state.

 

According to him, “Although Senator Kashim Shettima took the mantle of the state at a difficult time marked by terror attacks and deadly insurgency, his mature, cautious, and decisive management of the state’s affairs helped preserved the social fabric that held several communities together and reassured members of the Christian faith that the government remained committed to their freedoms and wellbeing, adding that “his (Shettima) rebuilding efforts targeted at the Christian community, including the reconstruction of churches affected by terrorist activities.”

 

These contributions and sincere commitment to the constitutional obligation to uphold the rights of all without prejudice or bias qualify he noted Senator Shettima as a brother and an ally in their quest to promote peaceful inter-faith relations in the country.

 

They dismissed claims of being sponsored to impersonate leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria at the event.

While justifying their authenticity as church leaders, the group made public their respective churches and ministries, some of which have existed for several years.

 

Those present include the Christian Revival Evangelical Mission Worldwide of Apostle Godwin Livinus; the Divine Prophetic End Time Gospel Faith in Kubwa, Abuja of Bishop Dr. Emeka Theodore; the Light House of all Nation Ministry of Bishop Emmanuel Sunday Jayeola, among others.

 

Condemning the attacks and harassment they endured over their participation at the event, the group said it was their democratic rights to make a political choice.

 

They however, urged a critical evaluation of reports and allegations before their spread and amplification in the press, “particularly on social media where mob antics, driven by ignorance and malice, have strained social ties and caused divisiveness.”

 

Similarly an Abuja-based lawyer has dragged the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the party’s  presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to court over having presidential and vice-president tickets of the party from the same religion.

 

The Legal practitioner in the suit filed at the Federal High Abuja also seeks an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) from publishing the name of the APC presidential candidate in the forthcoming coming elections for violation of the Nigeria Constitution.

 

In the suit marked, FHC/ABJ/CS/1188/2022 the lawyer argued that the decision to pick the party’s presidential flag bearer and the running mate from the same religion (section) violates the principle and the spirit of the Nigeria Constitution.

 

The plaintiff, Osigwe Momoh in his originating summons argued that Political Parties must by virtue of chapter two of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), have their presidential and vice presidential candidate from different sectional, (tribal and religious groups) of the nation.

 

He therefore seek a declaration that “by virtue of Sections 14 (1) & (3), 15 and 224(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Defendants are bound to the principles of Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and having the presidential and vice presidential candidates of the same religious (sectional group) is unconstitutional and null and void.

 

“That all Political Parties must by virtue of chapter two of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), have their presidential and vice presidential candidate from different sectional (tribal and religious groups) of the nation.

 

“Nullifying the candidature of the 1st and 2nd  Defendants, Same Being unconstitutional and against the spirit and letters of Sections 14 (1) & (3), 15 and 224 (a) of the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. ”

 

The human rights advocate has therefore requested the Court to  restrain the 3rd Defendant (INEC) from publishing the Candidate of the 1st Defendant (APC) as a Presidential Candidate for the forthcoming 2023 General Election.

 

The plaintiff in the suit is Osigwe Momoh and defendants are All Progressives Congress (APC) as 1st defendant, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as 2nd defendant, and the INEC, 3rd defendant.

 

Meanwhile, the suit is yet to be assigned to any Judge and no date has been fixed for the suit yet.

 

Similarly, the Kaduna State Assembly Legislators under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have collectively approved the eligibility of the flag bearer of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shetitma, ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

This was made known on Monday in a statement signed by the Special Assistant Media and Publicity to the Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, Hon Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani.

Recall that Christian members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 19 northern states  had earlier revolted against the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

 

Zailani who is the chairman of the Northern Nigeria Speakers Forum described the combination as a “winning formula” for the ruling APC.

 

 

He said, “As chairman of the Northern States Speakers Forum, I am informing the general public that Speakers under the platform of our great party have resolved to support our Presidential Candidate and his running mate to emerge victorious at next year’s general elections,

 

“Tinubu and Shettima are brilliant minds that will chart a progressive path for Nigeria in all ramifications. I will like to use this opportunity to call on party faithful as well as patriotic Nigerians across party, religious and ethnic divides to embrace Tinubu and Shettima.”