Of Tinubu And Shettima Muslim-Muslim Ticket: My Opinion -By Mustapha Sulyman Oluwatofunmi

The decision of the APC presidential candidate on his choice of running mate, Sen. Shettima who happens to be a Muslim like himself(Tinubu) has not squelched to be in a national discourse which has continued to generate wanton of controversies, religious intensity, heated squabble and redundant hullabaloo, over the weeks that the choice has been made. 

Of course, this is expected in a country full of religious fanatics, ethnic bigots and obsessed politicians and complacent leaders, where egocentricity and pettiness have overridden and de-emphasized the pedigree in our judgement.

Asiwaju must have calculated this aftermath uproar, along with his delicate but strategic decision. 

In a sane, development-driven and fanatic-less country, religion is never wherewithal merit to contrast or dissect the compatibility, acceptability, or capability of a standard candidate and his running mate. But it’s not surprising in our country, rather it is just a lugubrious reality how a giant but under-developed country continues to enmesh itself and squabble over a frivolity instead of a necessity.

However, it should be preliminarily noted that the religious identity of a standard candidate or that of his running mate is not a prerequisite criterion for eligibility into elective offices.  

Constitutionally, a standard candidate or that of his running mate is rightly qualified for any elective offices having met the constituted requirements, of which religion is not among. 

For a presidential candidate and his running mate to qualify for running for the highest office in the country, Nigeria, he must thus fulfil the following criteria, among others;

• He must be a citizen of Nigeria by birth.

• He must have attained the age of forty years. 

• He must be a member of a political party, and

• He must have education up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent.

Therefore, Asiwaju, by the Nigerian Constitution, to the best of my knowledge, not limited to wide translation, has not democratically offended Nigerians. 

Having said that, and by extension, in a country of ours, Nigeria, where we have multi-religious citizens each having significant carriers prioritizing our religions and imperatively holding on to them (religions), the definition of fairness and justice can’t be acceptably consummated with the above-mentioned Muslim-Muslim Ticket.

As we all know, the Nigeria that you and I know today is arguably on segregation and has its unity subjected to negotiation which has given room to internal cracks and fractures, culminating in frustrations. 

In this kind of atmospheric deterioration, where one tribe is pointing a blaming finger at another tribe, where one religious group is being condemned by another religious group for religious violence and where some certain part of the country has been crooning marginalization, misrepresentation, and obliteration. 

The country is volatile now and cracked to the pang of shredding. Thus, we should not at this point detour but rather toe the part that will bring National Unity, loyalty and conformity.

Alas! Morality is not in the dictionary of Nigerian politicians. Morality is never an option for them. They don’t know what fairness and justice are, so far they can satisfy their desire.

This is clearly shown by them each time of their politicking. 

This has made them exchange fairness with immorality out of desperation to win elections.

Their tactics and antics are always targeted at winning elections, to dupe and dwindle masses of purpose with their mendaciousness and deceitfulness.

Tinubu is not the only victim here, but with scads of others, jettisoning fairness for immorality. 

In conclusion, the decision is just one of the political intrigues to canvass for votes from the majority, of which politics is said to be a game of numbers.

When they all get to where to share our commonwealth, remember that they don’t know or challenge themselves with any religions. From all religions, they come together and suck us. 

They know our weaknesses. Hence, they continue to dishevel us through that. Let us be wise enough to differentiate without sentiments.

Lastly, vote your conscience, the candidate you believe in his ability or whatever your genuine reason might be, and simmer down the frenzy surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket. 

Remember, this country is our only land and whatever spring thereof, therefore choose decisively. Make the decision that will birth better tomorrow.

Nigeria can and shall be great again!

@m.sulyman98@gmail.com