Christian Association of Nigeria has urged the All Progressives Congress and its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to learn from the late Chief M.K.O Abiola’s political achievements and mistakes.
CAN in a statement by its Vice Chairman, North East Zonal Chapter of CAN, Rev (Dr) Innocent Rubiruka Solomon, noted that Abiola was a successful grassroots politician who won in 1993, the presidential election adjudged to be the most credible in Nigeria’s history.
The apex Christian body said one of the greatest mistakes that befell Abiola while alive and active in pursuit of his presidential ambition was his decision to fly a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the election.
CAN said, “Have we asked why the election adjudged to be the most credible in the Democratic history of Nigeria and yet its government was not to be? Have we ever cared to know the mystery behind the annulment?
“Could it just be that the former military leader, General Ibrahim Babangida, just on his own decided to do the impossible? Was it not something beyond his control, a mystery no mortal could explain?
“Nigeria as a result of that annulment passed through one of its most critical and difficult period in history which eventually led to the death of one of Nigeria’s illustrious leader, a remarkable personality who died in custody in an attempt to recover the mandate.
“Our political leaders must learn from our mistake of the past or we will further the nation away from peace stability and progress. God forbid.”
It also cautioned the APC against going ahead with its tentative Muslim-Muslim combination of Tinubu as its presidential candidate and Ibrahim Masari as his running mate.
It noted that no party can win the presidential poll without the votes of the Northern Christians.
The statement added, “Any party for that matter must avoid the pitfall of setting Nigeria’s religious communities into political blocks that may result to the greatest religious disharmony in the Country.
“Any such decision is precarious. No political party should try it, I passionately appeal. Religion is to guide the people and the nation and not to set the people against each other.
“Political decisions must be fair and just. Democracy must be all inclusive. Christians, Muslims and people of all faiths must be duly recognized and carried along. Christian -Christian ticket or Muslim-Muslim ticket is not in the interest of a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.”