2015: Obasanjo warns on Muslim-Muslim, Christian-Christian ticket

In a statement in Abeokuta, Obasanjo warned politicians not to introduce religious sentiments into the polity in order not to jeopardise the peace, security as well as continued existence of the country.The former president was apparently reacting to statements credited to former Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari, who said in an interview with TheCable […]

In a statement in Abeokuta, Obasanjo warned politicians not to introduce religious sentiments into the polity in order not to jeopardise the peace, security as well as continued existence of the country.
The former president was apparently reacting to statements credited to former Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari, who said in an interview with TheCable online newspaper that he was not opposed to a presidential ticket comprising Muslims only.
But Obasanjo said, “Sensitivity is a necessary ingredient for enhancement of peace, security and stability at this point in the political discourse and arrangement for Nigeria and for encouraging confidence and trust.
“It will be insensitive to the point of absurdity for any leader or any political party to be toying with Muslim- muslim or Christian-Christian ticket at this juncture.
“Nigeria cannot at this stage raise the spectre and fear of Islamization or Christianization. The idea of proselytization in any form is a grave danger that must not be contemplated by any serious-minded politician at this delicate situation in Nigeria, as this time is different from any other time.
“Therefore, disregarding the fact that there are fears that need to be allayed at this point will amount not only to insensitivity of the highest order but will also amount to very bad politics indeed.”
In his interview with TheCable, Buhari had said, “I have not absolutely closed my mind to picking a Christian or Muslim as running mate if I get the ticket. Because I firmly believe that Nigerians, having gone through what they have gone through, realise it is not a matter of religion, but a matter of Nigeria.
“And the main religions, Christianity and Islam, they know and they believe in the almighty God. The question of stealing and short-changing people in the name of religion should stop.”
He also said he had demonstrated time and again that he is not an extremist as some people allege.
“Nigerians will always uncover impossible room for manoeuvre for politicians. I had to face one of the governors during one of our party’s meetings [over the issue of religion],” he said in TheCable interview.
“In 2003, I chose Chuba Okadigbo as my running mate. He was a Roman Catholic. He was an Igbo. In 2007, I picked Edwin Ume-Ezeoke. He was a Roman Catholic. He was an Igbo. And in 2010, I chose even a pastor. Pastor Tunde Bakare.
“Honestly, what do Nigerians want me to do? If they don’t believe I’m not a fundamentalist, what else can I do?”