Senate moves to stop presidential same faith ticket

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*As Sen Adeyemi rallies support for Tinubu/Shettima

By Olugbenga Salami

As controversy continue to trail the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC for the 2023 general elections, the Senate is proposing amendment to Section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022 to prevent political parties from nominating candidates of the same religion as presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Smart Adeyemi, who dropped the hint during a media briefing on Sunday in Abuja, said the proposed amendment seeks to promote unity and religious harmony in the country.

He showed a draft copy of proposed legislation titled: “A Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act 2022 and for other matters connected thereto, 2022 to journalists during the briefing.

Adeyemi, who is the lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District and sponsor of the bill, explained that Section 84 of the Electoral Act would be amended by inserting a new subsection that “No political party shall nominate candidates of the same religion as Presidential candidate and Vice Presidential candidate after this
dispensation.”

According to the him,the controversy which the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the APC has generated in the polity, necessitated the move .

To prevent future occurrence, he stressed that a new sub-section is being proposed to Section 84 of the 2022 Electoral Act.

“Section 84 of the Principal Act will be amended by inserting a new subsection 3 which will states thus “No political party shall nominate candidates of the same religion as Presidential candidate and Vice Presidential candidate after the 2023 election.

“When this is accommodated, it will serve as a guide against any oversight such as this in the future as further occurrences will be deemed as silent policy which is capable of bringing down the fabrics of the nation,” he said.

Adeyemi added that wide range consultations on the need for the amendment , have been made with the leadership of the Senate and other colleagues.

He, however, said that though apprehensions raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN over same faith Presidential ticket are genuine but the broad mindedness and pedigree of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima would allay all fears being raised.

Tinubu and Shettima, he added, should be assessed based on their pedigrees and not their religious faith or even political party.

“Nigerians should look at the individuals candidates contesting for the presidency in 2023 and not the political parties they belong to or religion they practice.

“Based on my conviction, despite the same faith ticket, Tinubu and Shettima are the best for the country come 2023.

“They have demonstrated required capacities , competence and commitment while in office as Executive Governors of Lagos and Borno States separately.

“Asiwaju Tinubu in particular, demonstrated his pan Nigerian disposition with his cabinet composition devoid of tribal or religious sentiments.

“He and Shettima are in actual fact Nigeria candidates that should be voted for,” he stressed.

Adeyemi lampooned the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for violating the zoning policy of his political party by declaring it is the turn of the South, to produce next president.

He also took a swipe at the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi for believing in street show which cannot in anyway , used to win election.

“His Excellency, Peter Obi ought not to have left PDP as required structure for presidential election .

“Street show or one million man match being displayed by Peter Obi supporters cannot win Presidential election,” he said.

The lawmaker, therefore called on all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, to see the emergence of Tinubu and Shettima “as the will of the Almighty who governs the universe”, adding that *it must not be seen that there are no Christians who are eminently qualified to occupy any of these positions.”