In a recent interview on Arise TV a former Kogi State Deputy Governor and member representing the North Central on the board of the South East Development Commission, Edward Onoja, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu deliberately intensified his engagement with Christian leaders and churches during the 2023 presidential campaign because of concerns over the All Progressives Congress (APC) Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Speaking during an interview, Onoja said the APC campaign recognized the political challenge posed by the controversy surrounding the choice of both the presidential and vice-presidential candidates being Muslims.
Quoting the headline, Onoja said, “I visited churches because the Muslim Muslim Muslim ticket was working against us heavily.”
According to him, the campaign understood that many Christians had reservations about the ticket, making it necessary to directly engage religious communities to explain the party’s position and reassure voters that the administration would be inclusive.
Onoja explained that the visits to churches were part of a broader effort to address misconceptions and convince Nigerians that the APC’s choice of candidates was based on competence rather than religion.
He noted that the outreach was intended to reduce tensions generated by the issue and build confidence among Christian voters who feared religious imbalance in government.
The former deputy governor argued that while religion played a significant role in the political conversation ahead of the election, the campaign team believed sustained engagement with faith-based organisations was the most effective way to counter negative perceptions.
According to him, campaign officials travelled across different parts of the country to meet with church leaders and congregations, explaining the party’s agenda and emphasizing its commitment to national unity.
Onoja maintained that political campaigns require direct interaction with voters, particularly when contentious issues dominate public discourse.
He said such engagements allowed party representatives to answer questions, address concerns and demonstrate that the APC intended to govern all Nigerians regardless of religious affiliation.
The former deputy governor also stressed the importance of promoting peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, urging political actors to avoid exploiting religious differences for electoral advantage.
He added that national development depends on unity and mutual respect among citizens, irrespective of their faith or ethnic background.
Onoja concluded that while the Muslim-Muslim ticket generated significant debate during the electioneering period, dialogue and direct engagement with affected communities played an important role in the APC’s campaign strategy……See More
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