Akeredolu also said a Nigerian of the South-West extraction will take decisions on behalf of the country if the ticket sails through
By Kehinde Okeowo
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has said he supported the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) because he wanted power to shift to the South.
He also apologised to Christian clerics over the decision of his party and urged them to help in convincing their followers on the need to forgive and give the party a chance.
Akeredolu’s appeal was contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday, September 12, by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Richard Olatunde.
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The governor who spoke on Sunday at the 40th Holy Ghost Convention Dinner of The Sword of the Spirit Ministries held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, called for understanding of the need for power to return to the southern part of the country after eight years in the northern part.
He said, “I understand our feelings because I am one of you. I am a Christian. All of us here are worried. What will be our gain, and that is why is my party, the APC, throwing up a Muslim-Muslim ticket?
“It has been a real issue for all of us; even members of the party. We have debated it, fought it and done so many things about it. I have always said to people, that my fight was for a Southern President. Now it has come to the South-West, will I now throw the baby away with the bathwater? Can I, in all honesty, do it? Should I, in all honesty, do it?”
According to the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, a South-Westerner will take decisions on behalf of the country if the ticket sails through and that is what is more important.
He went on to argue that Christians and Muslims in Yoruba land have cohabited for a long time and that some of them are even related. He pleaded that issue of religion should not be allowed to slow the country down.
“We call it a matter of coincidence. It is a matter of conscience. All of us are here, why don’t we look at it from one angle? The buck stops on the table of the President. Do we have a capable hand who can manage the affairs if given the opportunity? Do you have a man who is bold enough to challenge incursions into our land? That is it.
“All of us here have lived together for years, and we didn’t allow religion to cause a fight among us. We have Muslims in our families and there is no fight. We have many leaders in Yoruba land who have both Muslims and Christians in their families and there is no fight.
“So, we want to appeal to our people that this is our time. I want to appeal to all our senior pastors and general overseers to help talk to their followers. We politicians can only do little. This is our time, please don’t be angry.” Akeredolu added.
