Muslim-Muslim Ticket: We’re Discussing With PDP, NNPP, Labour Party – Ex-SGF, Babachir Lawal

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal has confirmed that he and his group have begun discussions to quit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Naija News reports that Lawal, former House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and some northern Christians in the APC had kicked against the decision of the ruling party to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

The Northern Christians had vowed to mobilise Christian votes against the ruling party in next year’s election.

Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, Lawal disclosed that his group has kickstarted talks with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the fast-rising Labour Party (LP).

According to the former SGF, the agitation against the Muslim-Muslim ticket was nothing personal but a representation of the wish of a people who are part of the Nigerian nation “demanding for fair and equitable representation.”

He, however, stated that no decision has yet been made on whether or not to quit the ruling party.

“What we are doing is for the sake of Nigeria. Of the 18 political parties in the country, we are talking to the Peoples Democratic Party, the Labour Party, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party,” he said.

“It is only the APC that has rejected us; the other 17 parties have not. So, those three are in the foreground of our discussion for now, but no decision has been taken.”

MKO Abiola And Kingibe

He stated that the fact that MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe ran on the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 1993 is not sufficient to replicate it in the Nigeria of today.

According to him, the same faith ticket may have been the reason the military government, at that time, nullified the election.

Lawal said: “Yes, Abiola and Kingibe did it but was the election not annulled? Have these people bothered to find out why the election was annulled? I am a member of the APC but we are the voices of those who have been mistreated. Since it is too late to form our party now, we are evaluating the options before us.

“We are open to listening to parties that are receptive to us. You know, some people are friendlier than others. Whatever the outcome, we will let you know but to tell the truth, we are in talks.”