The Northern Christian Youth Initiative (NYCI) has cautioned the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Christians generally to be wary of Hon. Yakubu Dogara and Babachir Lawal, sudden defence of Christianity.
The group said Dogara and Babachir Lawal supported a Muslim candidate to emerge as the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress.
NCYI’s Convener, Hon. Mike Msuaan Msuaan disclosed these in a statement on Friday night.
Msuaan alleged that the former speaker of the House of Representatives and the erstwhile secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF) were staunch supporters of the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He condemned the activities of politicians using religion under any guise as a basis for their political rallies and electioneering campaigns.
He said, “As a matter of fact, Babachir Lawal authored very damaging write ups against the Vice president of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo ;himself a Christian and a presidential aspirant in the APC primary that produced Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Babachir Lawal, demeaned his fellow Christian, in support of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is a Muslim. Hon. Dogara was also a known supporter of Tinubu.
“We did not find Both Hon. Yakubu Dogara and Babachir Lawal canvassing votes for any Christian candidate during the APC primary. We expect the duo who have become accidental defenders of the Christian faith to have stood for either, Prof Osibanjo or Hon. Rotimi Ameachi who where also top presidential contenders during the party primary
“We expect that people who have held such exalted positions like those held by Hon. Dogara and Babachir Lawal in the past would be cautious in sowing seeds of division, be it religious, ethnic or regional. Hon. Dogara was not elected as a member of the house of representative and subsequently the speaker of the house of representative on the basis of his faith, neither was Babachir Lawal appointed SGF because of his region. They both found themselves into office to uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“A school of thought has it that both Dogara and Babachir nursed intentions of becoming vice presidential candidates to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and worked for his emergence. Their inability to to secure such endorsement is touted as the singular selfish reason they have become very bitter and are moving round sowing seeds of division.
“The resort to divisive machinations in the manner Hon. Dogara and Babachir have resorted to, after losing out in the consideration for vice presidency is unbecoming of statesmen who have risen to such exalted positions of leadership in the country they intend to destroy now is condemnable.
“Hon. Dogara have won elections in a nearly Muslim dominated constituency. The electorates did not vote for him on the basis of his religious inclination, or consideration, neither where they voting him to represent any religious group at the National Assembly.
“The build up to the 2023 general and the contending interests will no doubt generate tension in the country on its own. Leaders like the former speaker of the house of representative and the SGF who should champion the vanguard for a peaceful, free and credible elections must not embark on voyages to heat up the polity in the name of settling political goals.”
