Tuesday, July 21, 2026

APC Christian caucus says calamity will befall Tinubu-Shettima candidature like Abiola-Kingibe, resists Muslim-Muslim ticket

The Christian politicians said that the APC’s decision to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket “will certainly result in a massive revolt against the party…”

• July 12, 2022
Simon Lalong, Boss Mustapha, Senator Ishaku Abbo
Simon Lalong, Boss Mustapha, Senator Ishaku Abbo

Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Christian caucus have rejected the Tinubu-Shettima candidature, predicting calamity for the ruling party after the manner of 1993 presidential election when the Abiola-Kingibe’s “pyrrhic” victory was cut short by a military junta.

The APC’s Christian caucus which includes governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state, cabinet secretary Boss Mustapha, Senator Ishaku Abbo, among other top politicians, on Monday issued a communique conveying their disappointment and resistance to the party’s selection of two Muslims as its presidential flag bearers.

“That the current Nigerian environment and political atmosphere is different from what occurred in 1993 and therefore a Muslim-Muslim ticket is unacceptable.

“It doesn’t take the smart to know that Abiola/Kingibe victory turned out to be a pyrrhic victory as there was never a President Abiola nor vice President Kingibe. Is that what we want a repeat of in 2023?” partly reads the communique.

The communique came hours after Mr Abbo told Peoples Gazette that he would work against Mr Tinubu for picking a Muslim in repudiation of the country’s religious makeup of equal number of Muslims and Christians.

Christians in the APC warned that Bola Tinubu’s use of religious exclusivity as a tool for winning the 2023 election carried grave consequences.

“This will certainly result in a massive revolt against the party. Leadership is all about inclusiveness, justice and equity,” the communique emphasised.

Noting that Nigeria’s unity was paramount in this “moment of National peril,” the APC Christian caucus concluded the communique stressing that “Any political party or candidate that elevates the greed of a few above the needs of the generality of the people has no business running the affairs of Nigeria.”

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Gov Ododo

States

Tinubu advised me never to negotiate with criminals, Gov Ododo says

“I don’t play with criminals, and I don’t negotiate with them. I can tell you that, as far as Kogi State is concerned, we don’t have a department for ransom payment,” he said.

Pete Hegseth

Heading 1

U.S. has spent $37.5 billion on Iran war: Hegseth

“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion,” Mr Hegseth said.

Toba Ajiboye

Lagos

Slain Lagos NURTW organising secretary buried amid tears

Mr Ajiboye died days after he was attacked by gunmen.

Migrants' boat

Africa

144 refugees, migrants dead, missing off Mauritania coast: UNHCR

“The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe,” the agency said.

Daniel Ortega and Marco Rubio

World

U.S. govt condemns Ortega’s ban on elections in Nicaragua 

Mr Rubio urged the international community to rise against Mr Ortega’s dictatorship.

Oleksandr Syrskyi

World

Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s top general after firing defence minister

Mr Syrskyi’s dismissal came days after Mr Zelensky fired Ukraine’s defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, a decision that sparked protests across the country.