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A socio-political group, operating under the aegis of ‘National Inter-faith and Religious Organization for Peace’ (NIROP) have reportedly nominated the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Yakubu Pam, to serve as running mate to the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu In the forthcoming 2023 Presidential election.
The group disclosed this at a one-day roundtable discussion in Abuja, and said there is a need for a harmonious and balanced ticket for the APC in the presidential election.
Bishop Sunday Garuba who spoke on behalf of the Christian clerics at the meeting said the outcome of the APC primaries has brought to the fore the need for the APC to do all within its means to ensure a balanced presidential ticket that would stand the test of time and guarantee electoral victory.
He said the Nigerian Clerics Consultative Forum convoked the general assembly to deliberate on the issue of a balanced and harmonious presidential ticket that would guarantee electoral victory for the party.
Garuba said it was due to the various agitations on the choice of the vice presidential candidate of the APC.
“This is informed by the need for a balanced ticket with the overarching objective of ensuring that the ethnoreligious balance of the country is achieved.
“The necessity of ethnoreligious balance cannot be overemphasized, hence the various agitations within the APC on the need for the party to get it right regarding its vice-presidential candidate.
“The consultative assembly allowed Christian and Muslim clerics from various parts of the country to lend their objective voice to the vice-presidential candidate of the APC.
“Deliberations on the suitability of a Muslim-Muslim ticket were scrutinized objectively by clerics in attendance,” he said
On the representative of the Muslim clerics, Sheikh Surajo Abdullahi at the meeting said the APC’s choice of presidential flag bearer for the presidential elections confirms Allah’s revelations regarding the personality that would lead Nigeria on the right track.
He described Aswaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a team player with an unflinching religious and ethnic tolerance, as evident in the fact that his wife is an ordained Pastor of one of the largest Pentecostal churches in Nigeria
He urged the APC presidential candidate to ensure that the choice of his running mate would reflect national balance and harmony.
He added that the choice of Reverend Yakubu Pam who is a well-respected cleric from Northern Nigeria fits the bill as the Vice Presidential Candidate of the APC for his pedigree in advocating religious and ethnic tolerance in Northern Nigeria.
“Rev Yakubu Pam is well respected in Northern Nigeria and over decades served as the rallying point for peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in Northern Nigeria
“Rev Yakubu Pam is a cleric that has garnered administrative experience with an unblemished record in service to humanity.
“Yakubu Pam is a team player whose nomination would give all a sense of belonging towards attaining electoral success” he added
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