…reiterates Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive, equitable leadership
Prince John Mayaki, a Chieftain of the APC from Edo State, dismissed as ‘groundless propaganda’ claims that the party grants undue privilege to its members who practice the Islamic faith, noting the recent emergence of Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia of the Catholic Church as the Governor-Elect of Benue State on the platform of the party.
Mayaki spoke through a statement issued to the press in Abuja on Thursday following what he described as the “ceaseless untruth and distortions from angry fifth columnists who remain unrepentant in their shameful quest to smear the APC and pit Nigerians against one another.”
According to him, any insinuation that the APC, which enjoys widespread support in every region of the country and amongst members of different faith, has surrendered itself to any religion should be disregarded by Nigerians because it does not reflect the approach of party, whether in the management of its internal affairs or the administration of the country.
He said, “It is obvious that the naysayers remain committed to their nefarious agenda to incite Nigerians against our party through a cynical exploitation of religion, ethnicity, and other fault-lines. While this is shameful, and the result of the general elections prove that Nigerians do not buy their gimmick, it is still important for us to continue to set the records straight lest some mistake their cries of agony over their comprehensive defeat for serious submission.”
“The fact of the matter is that our party was founded as a coalition of patriotic statesmen and representative groups from across the different parts of the country to confront the confused and incompetent incumbent government at the time, and to set the country on the path of beneficial progressivism.”
“Each of these foundational groups, whether from the North or the South, Christians and Muslims alike, have equal stake in the affairs of the party, as reflected in our constitution. As such, it is impossible for any group or individual to appropriate the party and make it their personal possession.”
“While this may be possible in the opposition where a certain money bag has made the presidential ticket his property in the case of the PDP, and an uninspiring populist simply strolled into the party in the wee hours to pick up its presidential ticket in the case of the Labour Party, the APC does not operate in such fashion.”
“Winners of internal party contests in the APC are often the products of a broad consensus, and emphasis is placed on certain key factors, including competence, political strength and presence, and loyalty to party ideals. Although we rightly adjust for equity and social justice, this is achieved through smart policymaking that is acceptable to all and in perfect harmony with our progressive approach.”
Mayaki contends that it is poor logic to continue to insist that the APC is a Muslim party when “Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, a Catholic priest, was just elected on the party platform as the governor of Benue State in the country’s middle-belt region.”
“The malicious actors and lazy analysts bandying the claim around because of the nature of our presidential ticket are totally ignoring developments in the other contests, particularly state and parliamentary elections, where our party presented and secured victories for a large number of Christians, women, youths, and other social groups, proving our diversity and commitment to fair and adequate representation.”
He concluded by urging Christians and other Nigerians alike to not give in to the disinformation of the opposition, adding that they have nothing to fear as the Tinubu-presidency will be inclusive and fair to all.
“Few Nigerians have displayed the level of commitment that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown to the Nigerian project. As governor of Lagos, his cabinet reflected the cosmopolitan nature of the state and presented opportunities to representatives of non-indigenous communities and groups to contribute to governance. Nigerians can be rest assured that he will preside in a similar way; as a fair-minded, inclusive, and detribalized leader who not privilege any group over others due either to tribal identity or faith.”