Rivers: Mass exodus hits APC over Muslim-Muslim ticket
Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
As rumour of the Islamisation of Nigeria by the Muhammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to dominate national discourse in the country and now heightened by the choice of its presidential candidate for 2023 general elections, Ahmed Tinubu to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket, mass exodus of chieftains has hit the party in Rivers State.
At the last count, over seven APC chieftains have resigned from the party in Rivers State,citing insensitivity, unfairness and lack of equity by the party leadership in choosing a running mate for its Presidential candidate, Tinubu in 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
The latest being Prince Tonye Princewill, a former Governorship candidate in Rivers State, who categorically stated in his resignation letter that he was leaving because of the unfair decision of Tinubu and by extension APC leadership in choosing a Muslim, Kashim Shetima as running mate for the party’s Presidential Candidate despite protests and opposition by party members across the nation.
Prince will was quoted to have said that he cannot be fighting for justice in Rivers State and be working for injustice in National APC.
“I can’t argue for equity in my state and defend inequity in my country.
“I cannot defend the decision of my party, in fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket, especially at a time like this, against all protestations from well meaning Nigerians, across religious and political divides. It sets a very wrong precedent, it is totally insensitive and even if you win, will prove bad for good governance. Under these dire circumstances, I find no justification to still remain, in good conscience, a member of a political party that subordinates electoral victory, over the safety of lives and the peace of mind of its citizens,” he said.
The former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State and former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs Ibim Semenitari, an APC chieftain had earlier tendered her resignation from the party.
Others include Dr. Dawari George former House of Representatives member for Asari Toru/Akuku Toru Federal Constituency; Hon Celestine Akpobari, an Activist and APC stalwart; the World Youth Ambassador and APC chieftain, Amb. Marvin Yobana; Hon. Golden Chioma, former State lawmaker, representing Etche Constituency at the Rivers State House of Assembly; APC chieftain and former member of House of Representatives, representing Ikwerre Federal Constituency, Hon .Chidi Wihioka, and Hon Chigbo Eligwe, former State Assembly member.
Elsewhere, there were pockets of resignations at the APC National level in protest of the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket of the party.
The question now is can a party going for a forthcoming election in a plural and multi-religious society like Nigeria make an impact with this kind of divided house? Your guess is as good as mine.
