Muslim-Muslim ticket can cause religious tension – Primate Ayodele
Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, cautioned President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday regarding the potential ramifications of the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) “Muslim-Muslim” ticket. He warned that this approach could precipitate an unexpected religious crisis in the country.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Ayodele urged the president to proceed with caution, highlighting that many individuals are currently experiencing distress. He emphasized that it will require wisdom from Tinubu and his administration to navigate the challenges that may arise from this situation.
Ayodele stated, “Let us be cautious against a religious crisis because of this Muslim-Muslim ticket. What I see is trouble if this is not well handled.” He pointed out that widespread pain and potential violence could result if the matter is not addressed carefully.
“The repercussions will extend beyond the presidency, affecting states that are adopting similar ticket formats,” Ayodele added. He stressed the importance of avoiding religious tensions that could affect the nation broadly and urged Tinubu to act wisely to mitigate potential fallout.
He also identified several states where President Tinubu may struggle to garner support, particularly in the southwestern region of Nigeria. “Tinubu must work hard in some states because it won’t be easy. Even in Lagos State, it will be challenging; he shouldn’t assume it will be a walk in the park,” he said.
The clergyman noted that the upcoming election would pose significant challenges for the president, specifically mentioning Oyo and Osun states as areas requiring considerable effort. He also listed other states—Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Niger, Bayelsa, Imo, Enugu, Delta, Benue, and Abuja—where he believes Tinubu will need to focus diligently to secure voter support. “It may not be easy for the president in these places. He must work very hard and address all necessary issues,” Ayodele concluded.
