Christians have been advised to vote against any presidential candidate running on a same-faith ticket in the upcoming 2023 general elections.
Most Reverend Mathew Ndagoso, Bishop of Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese, issued the warning on Monday.
Remember that Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is running a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the presidential election in 2023.
Former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu and his presidential running mate, Kashim Shettima, are both Muslims from the country’s southwest and northeast.
Bishop Ndagoso stated at an event in Kaduna on Monday that such tickets do not promote equity, fairness, and unity, especially in a diverse country like Nigeria.
Bishop Ndagoso insisted that religion is essential to the nation’s socio-political constitution, which any political party or presidential candidate must consider when making election decisions.
He observed that Nigeria is a diverse country, and its religious, social, and cultural diversity is a blessing that those in leadership positions can and should capitalize on.
Ndagoso said:
Nigeria is a very diverse country, we come from different cultural backgrounds, religious backgrounds, and social backgrounds and our diversities are not a curse; they are blessings from God.
“All we need are leaders who will be able to manage and harness these diversities as to enrich our country. Therefore, the kind of leader Nigeria needs is somebody who has the ability to manage our differences and bring everybody together and give everyone a sense of belonging.
The church leader again forbade Christians from wasting their votes on a single faith ticket, adding that any party insensitive to Christians’ feelings must be ready to live with the consequences of their action.