AREWA Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA) is calling on Nigerians to cast their vote for the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, instead of the All Progressive Congress’ (APC) Muslim-Muslim ticket.
The chairman of the group, Rev. Luke Shehu, noted that such a vote would not only be a rejection of the APC's candidate, but would also help prevent the party from coming to power.
Shehu said that it would be a waste of votes to choose a candidate who doesn't have the national spread to win the elections and urged Christians not to be fooled into voting along religious lines.
He noted that the APC's Muslim-Muslim ticket had already been rejected by many Nigerians, making it an unwise choice for Christians.
The press conference organised by ACIPA was held in Jos, Wednesday, and was aimed at reminding Christians not to cast their ballot for the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
ACIPA made it clear that the PDP's presidential candidate was the only one with the national spread and acceptance to win the election and urged all religious faithfuls to vote accordingly.
“We don’t want to waste our votes as Christians because this might give Tinubu a chance to become the president of this country with his Muslim-Muslim ticket agenda.
“We are not the only ones rejecting the Muslim-Muslim ticket, but also, many Muslim faithfuls have also kicked against it.
“So we are happy to announce the bond for a journey in trust, love and unity towards restoring Nigeria from the gates of the North as we have agreed to support a candidate that will unite Nigerians. This is the audacity of the faith and love of ACIPA as we extend a warm handshake of friendship and unity with the Muslims of the North to elect a trustworthy leader that will help restore Nigeria and bring back our confidence towards development”, Shehu said.
He continued: “We are not unaware of detractors whose trade in stock is trading with our collective unity and destiny while they benefit from desperate politicians.
“In the spirit of our meetings with Muslim groups and sects, we call on Northern Christians and Muslims to resist being misled by clerics on both sides of the divide that use religion as a tool while their ego is being massaged by blind followers”, he said.
ASIPA calls on all Christians and Muslims that are allies to Nigeria’s political direction to disregard any directive by any cleric.
“It is evident that the next leadership that cuts across the North to the South is more acceptable than a Muslim-Muslim or a vote that will amount to waste and furthering the Muslim-Muslim ticket we have all since rejected”, the Christian group said.