We don’t see Tinubu as complete Muslim, say Bauchi Christian supporters

Some Christian supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Dass, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro local councils of Bauchi State have explained the rationale behind their support for Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket.

They said they don’t see former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, as a complete Muslim; hence his joint ticket with former Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, could not be regarded as same-faith.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, represents the Christian stronghold in Bauchi, but some of his kinsmen have shunned his call not to support the Muslim-Muslim ticket of Tinubu and Shettima, which he described as ‘ungodly’.

Dogara has publicly announced support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

But the Christian Support Group for APC in Bauchi said that they see Tinubu as part of Christian community since he married a pastor and allowed his children to attend Church.

At a rally in Tafawa Balewa town, ysterday, Convener of the Group, Dr. Godfrey Manasseh, said: “Our resolution (to endorse Tinubu) is based on several facts; one, as a leader, he raised men who are Nigerians. His ability to tolerate his Christian wife shows that he is a patriotic Nigerian.

“The fact that he allows his wife and children to go to Church, we don’t see this (Muslim-Muslim) ticket as many people claim. We don’t see him as a complete Muslim. We have decided to endorse him not just because of his ability to accept us, but the hope we have seen in his campaign agenda he presented to Nigerians. In next year’s elections, we will support him and other candidates across the APC.”

Manasseh added that the constituency would be ungrateful to APC, if it shunned Tinubu next year.

Also, the Chairman of Tinubu/Shettima Independent Campaign Council, Tony Okocha, commended the Christians for declaring support for Tinubu, despite pressure from others to reject same-faith ticket.