APC dismisses Babachir Lawal’s claim that Tinubu-Shettima’s Muslim-Muslim ticket fuels attacks on Christians, calling it divisive and driven by bitterness
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed claims by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, that President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s Muslim-Muslim ticket laid the foundation for alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria.
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Reacting to Lawal’s comments, the APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu, described the former SGF’s remarks as “bitter and divisive,” accusing him of still nursing grievances over his failed vice-presidential ambition in 2023.
Lawal, during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television on Monday, alleged that the administration’s same-faith ticket and its perceived tilt towards Islamic economic policies emboldened attacks against Christians.
He claimed the government’s composition signalled that Christians were “of no consequence” in Nigeria’s leadership, adding that this had encouraged extremists targeting Christian communities.
Lawal also accused the government of ignoring what he described as a “Christian genocide verdict” reportedly issued by former U.S. President Donald Trump, and expressed concern about plans for a so-called Halal economy—an initiative he said reflected an “Islamisation agenda.”
However, Arodiogbu countered that Lawal’s assertions were unfair and self-serving, arguing that the former SGF’s frustrations stemmed from personal disappointment rather than genuine concern.
“For Babachir Lawal to start blaming the Muslim-Muslim ticket or Tinubu’s choice of vice president for the killings in Nigeria is quite unfortunate.
He has developed a mindset of ‘If I can’t get it, let the house scatter.’ It is the same trajectory of a grumbling loser,” Arodiogbu said.
The APC chieftain added that while some Christians initially expressed reservations about the same-faith ticket, fears of marginalisation or an Islamisation agenda had proved unfounded.
“As a Christian, I would have also preferred a Christian deputising the president. But we have seen that Tinubu is a true democrat, and the fear of Islamisation did not happen.
His wife is a pastor, which shows his balance and consideration,” he said.
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Arodiogbu further stressed that insecurity in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims alike, dismissing Lawal’s position as an attempt to stoke religious division for political gain.
Source: Read more at freelanews.com
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
