SIR: But rather than look at the bigger picture and work for their party’s victory after which positions can be shared, the duo of Babachir Lawal and Yakubu Dogara have declared war on the party and the presidential candidate over a so-called same faith ticket.
Babachir was reported to be part of the initial process that led to the eventual emergence of Kashim Shettima as APC vice presidential candidate but because he apparently wanted the position for himself, he is hiding under the pretence of Muslim-Muslim ticket to fight Tinubu for not picking him. Dogara is in this boat too. He reportedly defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the hope of becoming Tinubu’s running mate, and like a jilted lover, he has been jumping from one meeting or conference to the other attacking the party and the candidate and also playing the religious card.
Babachir and Dogara are liabilities to any political camp they choose to join. Their political value is limited as their records show. They can’t even boost the winning chances of APC in the 2023 elections. Babachir did not deliver his ward in Hong Local government of Adamawa state to APC in 2019. Also, Dogara did not deliver his ward to the PDP in 2019, thus, it will not change a thing if the duo chose to leave the party eventually.
Nigerians are smarter and are fully aware of the antics of this overrated duo. Babachir and Dogara are obviously fighting for personal interest and looking for undeserved relevance in the political arena.
Nigerians still have a vote and there are other presidential tickets that will be on the ballot on February 25, 2023. So, the duo should quit playing the religious card and heating up the polity. They should pitch their tent with any party of their choice rather than making inflammatory statements that are meant to incite and further divide the country along familiar fault lines.
It is high time Nigerians began to look at the competence and capacity of candidates and not their ethnicity and religion. Religion or tribe will not solve any of the problems the country is facing right now. This includes but not limited to insecurity, corruption, poverty, unemployment, inflation and poor educational system.
Same faith tickets should be the least of our problems, in the search of someone who can really deliver on the job.
•Idris Umar,
Abuja.