The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has reacted to purported plan by the All Progressive Congress, APC, to pick a Muslim as runningmate to its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
ECWA warned that a Christian/Christian ticket or a Muslim/Muslim ticket is capable of plunging Nigeria into “deep and irredeemable crisis”.
The church in a press statement signed by its President, Rev. Stephen Baba Panya, said the nation’s corporate existence is founded on the principles of “justice, fairness and equity”, hence the need to adhere to the status quo.
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The statement reads: “As we look forward to peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in 2023, let me heartily congratulate all candidates that have emerged across the political parties for the Presidential, Governorship, National and States Assembly elections.
“We are very much pleased to note that the processes that led to their emergence were largely orderly and peaceful.
“Of course, this is not to say that there were no issues of concern. We pray and hope for better days ahead for our democracy.”
According to the Church, “Given the pluralistic configuration of Nigeria, we have seen deliberate effort since independence to preserve the peace and unity of the country by ensuring that the Presidency is balanced in terms of religion and region.
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“In the first republic, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Muslim/North) was the Prime Minister while Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (Christian/South) was the President under the parliamentary system. Under the presidential system, we have had Shehu Shagari (Muslim/North) and Alex Ekwueme (Christian/South); Olusegun Obasanjo (South/Christian) and Atiku Abubakar (North/Muslim); Umaru Musa Yaradua (North/Muslim) and Goodluck Jonathan (South/Christian); Goodluck Jonathan (South/Christian) and Namadi Sambo (North/Muslim); and currently Muhammadu Buhari (Muslim/North and Yemi Osinbajo (Christian/South).
“It is against this backdrop that we are calling on all the political parties to maintain this balance for the 2023 presidential election and to caution those who are brazenly advocating for a Muslim/Muslim ticket to reconsider their unrealistic stance.
“Our position on this matter is that we do not, and will not support a Christian/Christian ticket or a Muslim/Muslim ticket as this is capable of plunging the nation into deep and irredeemable crisis.
“It is pertinent to restate unequivocally that the corporate existence of Nigeria is founded on the principles of justice, fairness and equity.
“Section 23 of the 1999 Constitution as amended has identified, among others, religious tolerance and social justice as our national values which must guide our conduct and relationships. Our national interest is greater than any individual or group interest.
“We must, therefore, do away with primordial sentiments that seek to divide and destroy us and embrace the ideals of peace, love, unity and progress.
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It added that, “Martin Luther King once said that we must learn to live together as brothers or we will perish together as fools. I pray we heed to this timely warning.
“May God choose for us leaders that are righteous, just, humble and capable of serving this nation selflessly.”
