The Christian Association of Nigeria says it will mobilize against any political party and its presidential candidate that attempt to foist a Christian-Christian or Muslim-Muslim ticket the country in the general 2023 elections.
CAN gave the warning in an open letter to all presidential candidates of political parties, and signed by its General Secretary, Joseph Bade Daramola.
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It urged all the presidential candidates to pick running mates of alternate religions.
“We recognise the right of political parties to decide on who becomes their candidates for general elections. The constitution and the electoral law have granted the members of the parties the exclusive right to choose the candidates that citizens will vote into political offices in 2023.
“This right calls for a deep sense of responsibility and accountability. As the umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria, we call on all the presidential candidates to choose men or women of alternative religion as their running mates.
“For avoidance of doubt, the CAN will not accept any presidential ticket that is Christian-Christian or Muslim- Muslim. This simply means that where the presidential candidate of the party is a Christian, the deputy should be a Muslim; and where the presidential candidate is a Muslim, the deputy should be a Christian.
“There should not be a situation where the presidential ticket of a political party in Nigeria, whether a major or minor party, will be two Christians as presidential candidate and running mate, or two Muslims as presidential candidate and running mate.”
