A former Head of State and presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has said he is not a religious fundamentalist. He also said he was not opposed to a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2015 elections.
In an interview with TheCable, an online news medium, which was published on Saturday, Buhari hinted that his running mate may be a Muslim or a Christian.
He noted that he had chosen Christians as his running mate on several occasions, contrary to the belief that he is a fanatic.
Buhari said, “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).
“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?”
According to the former Head of State, the new phenomenon of religion is another blackmail political confusionists in Nigeria are bringing to the fore.
Buhari stated that religion could not be an issue, if he won the APC ticket and the presidential election due to the background of many political leaders from the south-west.
He noted that the APC chiefs whose wives are Christians include former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu; Governors of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi; Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola; Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun; and former Governor of Osun State and former APC Interim National Chairman, Bisi Akande.
Buhari likened his situation to that of Moshood Abiola, a southern Muslim, who picked Babagana Kingibe, a northern Muslim, as his running mate in the June 12, 1993 presidential election. He recalled that the Muslim-Muslim ticket went on to win the election that is still considered by many as the most credible in Nigeria’s history.
He further said, “I have not absolutely closed my mind to picking a Christian or Muslim as running mate if I get the ticket. 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 said.
“For goodness sake, the children of these political leaders were bred and brought up by Christian mothers. You think those people, wherever they participate, they will bring a religious issue? What kind of people are we?
“Nigerians will always bring something to cause confusion while we are trying to stabilise the system.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Before you came into politics, you called it a dirty game. You were never interested in politics as you see yourself as a man of integrity with a disciplined mind. but today I see you in the mist of dirty people, how are you going to clean them and keep them clean?
ReplyDeleteI wish you had remain the Buhari Idiagbon we use to know and respect. You almost changed Nigeria for good. Sir, you are no longer Buhari Idiagbon and you can never be. Simply because Idiagbon of blessed memory who was the backbone of your government then is no more.
You make no point here and you are that typical confusion its we have abound in Nigeria today. Yes, dirty it is our politicking, but to clean the mess one needs to be in there and I ghink that's why he is there.
DeleteOnly two class of people hate you general:
ReplyDelete1.The old thieves and crooks who run the cabals that hold our economy to ransom. These people are perpetually afraid of your no nonsense anti corruption stance and patriotism. And
2.The young fools that have been so brainwashed by the former class not yo see anything good outside their tribe, region or religion.
Its on record that you are the most tolerant Nigerian leader across tribes, religions or regions.
You have summarized it in this your short but powerful points. God bless you
DeleteYes ooo I see he is looking for another Idiagbon in the south west. Fashola for example is going to be a good replacement. PDP beware because if Buhari Fashola becomes president come 2015, you will all rot in Jail like NPN politicians in 1983. Yes Buhari Fashola for APC in 2015 in sha Allah.
ReplyDeleteBuhari might have regarded politics as a dirty game in the past and exonerated himself from it considering the manner in which politics was played within the period in question. In addition, he might have seen overtime that it takes a politician to sanitize the polity. Considering the reality on the ground, I think the General deserved to be commended for making sacrifice to clean the polity.
ReplyDeleteGbamm!!
DeleteBuhari for sure...
ReplyDeleteGen. Bruhaha, u claim nt to b a fanatic bt said boko haram was fighting for their right, only to condem them d day u shamelessly decided to run for presidency after shamefully resigning. U r bussy condeming dis gov. bt when u had d chance to change dis nation, u chose ur life first, making u d worst military Gen. and a coward. Firstly u took an oath as a military to defend dis nation with ur life, did u? U resigned from active politics with tears only to come back again. What then makes u a man of ur word? Bruhaha dat is what u truely r. U r now power hungry because a Chistian is there, if it was a muslim I know u would have sorported him. For ur info, those u mentioned r neigther muslims nor their wives christians, stop deceiving urself because ur religion regard dem as INFERIOR! Beware! Dis nation NIGERIA is not ur own, dont think u forgot it in d 80s only to come and take it now.
ReplyDeleteGen. Bruhaha, u claim nt to b a fanatic bt said boko haram was fighting for their right, only to condem them d day u shamelessly decided to run for presidency after shamefully resigning. U r bussy condeming dis gov. bt when u had d chance to change dis nation, u chose ur life first, making u d worst military Gen. and a coward. Firstly u took an oath as a military to defend dis nation with ur life, did u? U resigned from active politics with tears only to come back again. What then makes u a man of ur word? Bruhaha dat is what u truely r. U r now power hungry because a Chistian is there, if it was a muslim I know u would have sorported him. For ur info, those u mentioned r neigther muslims nor their wives christians, stop deceiving urself because ur religion regard dem as INFERIOR! Beware! Dis nation NIGERIA is not ur own, dont think u forgot it in d 80s only to come and take it now.
ReplyDelete@Everfrank: Correct, meaningful and educating write-up. Remain blessed!
ReplyDeleteWe dont want old cagos. Jonathan and Buhari must not contest. These guys don't have pity for Nigerians. They derive pleasure in seeing the death of innocent Nigerians who will suffer if they either win or loose.
ReplyDeleteby the grace of the Almighty God any politician or group that will cause the death of innocent Nigerians come 2015, must fall and die before 2015 election.
We should not sit down and look at these people why innocent lives continue to die. If we cannot fight them physically let us pray to God to take them away. Enough is now enough.
ReplyDeleteThey are all occult politicians they us religion as cover.
ReplyDeleteWhat Nigerians want is for you to retire to ur katsina home and let the young rule. Your utterances of not opposing a Muslim Muslim ticket will only buttress the few some of us have of you as been a fundamentalist. Your past utterances too are still very fresh in our memories. Those clamoring for u as a man of integrity should look at people u r surrounded with. There is a saying that says show me ur friends and I will tell you who you are
ReplyDeleteHe is dinning with criminals and individuals of questionable characters and u expect him do tackle corruptions? Do you think he will bite the fingers that ate feeding now? When he cannot even convince them to make the form for his parties primary affordable? If he is borrowing 27million to obtain form, where will he get the money to campaign from? Nigerians shine ur eyes. Buhari is not the saviour Nigeria needs.