FORMER Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Bode George on Monday said any political party that presents a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for the 2023 general elections lacks respect for Nigerians.
George spoke in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Monday.
He noted that the Nigerian polity was too heated up and fragile for any political party to conceive the idea of a joint Muslim ticket in a multi-religious country like Nigeria.
“It will be a complete lack of respect for the people. We cannot afford to conflagrate this country. So respect for the electorate. Respect for their view, respect for whatever will bring normalcy to Nigeria is what we should be doing,” he said.
“If the anger exhibited all over the country against religious intolerance and then you exacerbate it by now picking up somebody that is of the same religious sect like you how do you convince the people?
“Right now, on a religious basis, there is so much unnecessary tension created. All kinds of things are flying through the media and social media and people are more careful and conscious. Nigeria is a secular state.”
Citing the recent attack on a Catholic church in Owo, Ondo State, the former military governor stressed that the idea of a joint Muslim ticket would be too inappropriate, insensitive and catastrophic for the country.
“We are more conscious now. The experience of Owo and some other places has given people that kind of alertness and awareness that we have to be careful. That particular parameter has been woven into the political equation of this country.
“If you think you don’t have to bother about that, it means you have no respect or regard for those who are practicing one religion or the other and it will be a measure of the kind of personality you are,” he added.
While stating that the people’s will was what should take preeminence in the minds of politicians in Nigeria, he added that public office is a public trust that is expected to manage the resources of the state.
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