Dogara stated this in a speech he delivered at a summit organized by APC Northern Christians Leaders Summit with the theme, ‘Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin a reproach to any people’ , held on Friday in Abuja
Yakubu Dogara argued that, “Truth must be told that anyone who is not bringing us together is consciously tearing us apart”.
He further declared that the ruling APC wants to disintegrate Nigeria like, USSR, Yugoslavia a development he said must not be allowed to happen not now that efforts are on to make Nigeria a united entity.
“When we talk about a Muslim-Muslim ticket; God forbid that we should be understood to be objecting to Muslims or that we don’t want Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to be President . It is not about Senator Kashim Shettima either, but it about what is right and what is wrong”.
“It is about justice, fairness and equity. It is about Nigeria; it’s diversity and how it can be harnessed in an inclusive manner for the greater good of all of us. Be that as it may, some of us really wanted Asiwaju to be president because he has sacrificed much for our Party, the APC and for what he represents to so many people. So, our position cannot be against Muslims or Islam. That fact cannot be denied in any way”.
“But when it comes to choosing between the love and admiration I have for an individual and what is right and what I believe represents my vision for Nigeria, my choice will clearly be for the latter”, he added.
“After all, my rise to the position of Speaker was never going to be possible without the support of some Muslim members who believed that our diversity must be reflected in national positions for the unity, peace and advancement of our dear country”.
“What gives me more hope about the Nigeria project is that there are many of our Muslim brothers and leaders who did not only warn the APC, but have had to call out the APC for adopting a Muslim-Muslim ticket which resulted into the Party ructions we are witnessing today”.
“In 2015, when we were called “janjeweed party”, my response was usually very simple. I could then say that, HE John Oyegun was the Chairman of my party and my Vice-Presidential candidate was Pastor Yemi Osinbajo”.
“We don’t enjoy that luxury anymore as the President, Senate President, Speaker and his deputy; Senate and House Leaders; National Chairman and the Deputy National Chairman; Presidential and the Vice-Presidential candidates are all Muslims, leaving the Christians with just the position of VP Osibanjo and Deputy Senate President Omo-Agege at that level in a Country whose population is fairly split between Muslims and Christians”.
“Granted this scenario, can any God-fearing Muslim, Christian nay even the amoral and the atheist say this is fair, just and righteous? Does this represent the act of a just God? This is the real context of objections from the Christian community not just the Presidential ticket and the VP slot.
“For me, it is a rude awakening and I am so happy it happened sooner than later. The very fact that they said we should not worry about a Muslim-Muslim ticket while a Muslim-Christian ticket gave them sleepless nights should make you worry the more”, he stressed.
“To worry about a Muslim-Christian ticket while counselling others not to worry about a Muslim-Muslim ticket is the very textbook definition of cognitive dissonance and an attempt at gaslighting gullible Christians. Truth must be told that anyone who is not bringing us together is consciously tearing us apart” Dogara said.