The ire sparked by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following the decision to field a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket has continued with the resignation of more party members.
REPORTERS AT LARGE recalls that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the APC, on July 10, announced Kashim Shettima, former governor of Borno State, as his running mate. The development has elicited mixed reactions.
Barely 24 hours after David Bwala, a legal aide to Ovie Omo-Agege, deputy senate president, and others resigned from the party over the issue, a close associate of former transport minister Rotimi Amaechi, Tonye Princewill and veteran Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo, and former military administrator and national caucus member in Delta State, Air Vice Marshal Frank Ajobena (retd) have withdrawn their membership of the party.
Abena described Tinubu’s decision to float a Muslim-Muslim ticket as the highest level of insensitivity to the Christian faith in the country.
“A man must stand for something, else will fall for anything, hence, I am quitting,” the first military administrator of Abia State said in a statement issued in Warri, Delta State. He expressed disappointment that Tinubu, whom he respected so much, could take such an inhuman decision.
Defending his decision to quit the party, Ajobena said, “Tinubu is not my enemy; I am not against him. But let’s call a spade a spade. It is not my character to be a double agent, I am not pretending; even though I like the APC, the right thing should be done. The decision could be described as one that portrays arrogance and total disrespect to us, Christians, in the APC.
“The latest development portrays us as a people who can easily be bought over with money. Such an action is a minus to our democratic system. In what capacity will I be serving in his campaign train? As a slave?
Princewill, in his resignation letter to the chairman of his ward, said he cannot argue for equity in his state and defend inequity in his country.
“While I appreciate my leader, Rotimi Amaechi and all his efforts, I cannot defend the decision of my party in fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket, especially at a time like this, against all protestations from well-meaning Nigerians, across religious and political divides. It sets a very wrong precedent. It is totally insensitive, and even if you win, it will prove bad for good governance. Under these dire circumstances, I find no justification to remain, in good conscience, a member of a political party that subordinates electoral victory to the safety of lives and the peace of mind of its citizens.
“The men and women of our party here in Rivers are the most loyal and faithful supporters I have met. They know right and they know wrong. And they know me. I enjoyed working with them, and I’m so sad to leave. But an APC party that totally disregards the basics of the same equity we preach is alien to me. Buhari resisted the same temptation and chose a little-known Osinbajo and won. By doing this, Tinubu is saying that a Northern Christian has no electoral value. My staying means I agree.
“I wish you well. And I remain grateful to our leader, Amaechi, but I cannot defend the indefensible. And to be honest, neither should you.”
Another party stalwart and Senator Magnus Abe’s loyalist, Chidi Wihioka, resigned from the party on Monday.
The former member representing the Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency cited the high-handedness of the leader of the APC in Rivers State for his resignation. Another state lawmaker, Sam Eligwe, from Ahoada West LGA, who also tendered his resignation, alleged injustice in the administration of the party in the state.
“Since 2015, I have watched the party being run as a fiefdom where one individual has complete control over all decisions regarding party positions, employment opportunities and contracts. This is not democracy being practised. Therefore, due to the above-stated reasons, I hereby wish to resign forthwith from my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.
