The search for the ninth Senate President seems to have been settled with the All Progressives Congress, APC, announcing the current Majority Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, from Yobe State, as its choice – a decision that may hinder the chances of the party ceding the speakership position to the South-West with Femi Gbajabiamila as its preferred choice.
Recall that in the 6th, 7th and 8th assemblies there was a balance as Dimeji Bankole paired David Mark, the 7th was Aminu Tambuwal and David Mark and the outgoing 8th Assembly is Yakubu Dogara and Dr Bukola Saraki and there’s nothing like a Muslim/Muslim arrangement.
Just on Monday, The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Imo State chapter, has warned the All Progressives Congress, APC, against adopting a Muslim/Muslim ticket for principal officers when the ninth National Assembly is convened.
The Imo Secretary of CAN, Dr. Divine Eches, made the call in a statement issued during the weekend in Owerri, the state capital.
Eches said the attempt to put Muslims in almost all the key positions was a subtle plot to Islamize Nigeria, with the help of some Christians.
He called on the incoming Christian members of the National Assembly to resist the move.
The CAN scribe said, “We should watch out for a grand plot at the National Assembly to have a Muslim/ Muslim Ticket for House of Reps and a Muslim/Muslim Ticket for the Senate, because a woman is known by the Religion of her husband.
“I call on all Christian National Assembly members to rise up to the occasion and stop by God’s means the evil plot to finally hand over our nation to the Islam.
Eches maintained that they were elected into the National Assembly not just to protect the interest of their community, but that of Christians in Nigeria.
He said, “For this purpose and other legislative reasons, you were elected to represent your people and God.
“I appeal to Church leaders to pray, preach and teach against this, speak out against this and educate our Christian politicians on the dangers of this plot.”
The clergyman called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to take Christians for granted.
He said “I call on the APC led Federal Government not to take for granted, the silent and calm disposition of Nigerian Christians, as this will seriously destroy the Image of APC and place the party as a regional and religious political party which must not return to power come 2023.”
The Imo State CAN Secretary lamented that this is the first time that a Muslim/Muslim ticket is being championed for the National Assembly principal offices.
He said “We are only left with a choice for the first time since 1999 to choose between a Muslim and a Muslim both at the Presidential election and the National Assembly principal offices.”
Eches noted that past Presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua; Dr Goodluck Jonathan all worked with Speakers and Senate Presidents from other regions and religions.