Dreams of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Taraba state triumphing over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), especially in the presidential election come 2023 polls have no doubt begun to gradually fade away.
The party’s choice of Muslim/ Muslim presidential candidate, as noticed by The Trumpet, is doubt the major reason why the party’s dreams may no longer make headway in the state.
At the time of filing this report, various persons who spoke on the issue, some of whom include chieftains of the APC, agreed that the party’s hope of winning the presidential election in Taraba is now a mirage.
Some of the chieftains of the party who spoke with our correspondent, said ” I must confess to you that some of us are also not comfortable with this Muslim/Muslim ticket that our party has ventured into.”
The chieftain who believed that the chances of the party’s presidential candidate triumphing in the state “are now becoming slim” is however still optimistic that the party will triumph in both the governorship, National and state House of Assembly polls.”
“Though this will no longer be easy for us because our people have already been grieved by Tinubu’s choice of running mate, but I still see APC having an edge over the PDP in the governorship, National Assembly and the state House of Assembly elections.”
Another chieftain of the party who also sorted for anonymity for fear of being indicted for anti-party urged the leadership of the party at the national level and its presidential candidate not to include Taraba among the states APC is hoping to win.
“Frankly speaking, if I am in a position to advise them, I would ask them not to even come here for their presidential campaign because no amount of money or persuasions would make Tarabans to vote for Tinubu.” The chieftain said.
On their part, the leadership of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who is as well not pleased with Tinubu’s choice, has vowed to tread extra legitimate miles to frustrate his presidential ambition in the state.
The state body of the association made its position known through its chairman, Isaiah Magaji Jirapye, said
it would ensure its members do not vote for the pair.
Citing Tinubu’s action as “capable of causing disunity among religious groups in the country” the association affirmed that “We cannot vote for any candidate who is failing even at the early stage”.
Stressing that “the association does not want a religious crisis in Nigeria” CAN, who according to him “are peace-loving people” he said “would continue to embrace peace” but vowed to go against “whoever that has portrayed to be against the peace between religious groups in the country.”
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“Tinubu’s action” according to Taraba CAN “is proof that he doesn’t want the peace of this country and is a religious bigot who has been hiding his face in a certain cover” adding that “but God has decided to expose him.
Tinubu’s Muslim/Muslim ticket decision” as viewed by CAN “is an idea to tell the entire world that there are no Christians in Nigeria, and is an idea that is coming to divide the country so, we would not allow it to see the lights of the day.”
The northeast leaders of the party have however disagreed with the threats of Taraba CAN, drumming that the decision of Tinubu, is the best thing that has happened to the region in recent times.
Describing Tinubu’s choice as the best thing that has happened to the region in recent times, the northeast National Vice Chairman of the party, Mustapha Salihu believed, that his action would attract more supporters for the party, especially from the region.
Shettima’s choice, according to him “has given the APC North East Zone the added energy to rally our party supporters, members and all stakeholders in the zone towards actualising Tinubu’s presidential bid.”
Rather than dragging Tinubu to the slaughtering slabs, he suggested that he should “be commended for once again being a staunch democrat and progressive going by his wide engagement and consultation with stakeholders which paved the way for his eventual choice of Senator Shettima as running mate.”
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