The lawmaker representing Kogi-West senatorial district, Smart Adeyemi, has proposed a bill to prevent same faith ticket of either Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian for President and Vice President seats by any political party after the 2023 general election.
Adeyemi who showed a copy of the draft to journalists on Sunday noted that the Senate is seeking amendment to section 84 of the 2022 Electoral Act.
Adeyemi, at the press briefing said the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress generated a lot of controversies in the country, and necessitated the move.
According to him, to prevent future occurrence, a new sub-section is being proposed to section 84 of the 2022 Electoral Act.
He said, ” Section 84 of the Principal Act will be amended by inserting a new subsection 3 which will states thus, ‘No political party shall nominate candidates of the same religion as Presidential candidate and Vice Presidential candidate after the 2023 election.’
“When this is accommodated , it will serve as a guide against any oversight such as this in the future as further occurrences will be deemed as silent policy which is capable of bringing down the fabrics of the nation.”
He added that wide range consultations on the need for the amendment , have been made with the leadership of the Senate and other colleagues.
He, however, said that though apprehensions raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria over same faith Presidential ticket are genuine but the broadmindedness and pedigree of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shetimma will allay all fears being raised.
The senator further added that both Tinubu and Shettima should be assessed based on their pedigrees and not their religious faith or even political party.
Adeyemi said, “Nigerians should look at the individuals candidates contesting for the presidency in 2023 and not the political parties they belong to or religion they practice.
“Based on my conviction , despite the same faith ticket , Tinubu and Shetimma are the best for the country come 2023.”
Source: Punch
