2023: Nothing wrong with Muslim-Muslim ticket, says ex-gov Ladoja

By Richard Thomas, Ibadan

Former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja has said there is nothing wrong with the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket which has continued to generate controversies ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Addressing newsmen at his Bodija residence on Saturday, the High Chief of Ibadanland said what matters most is for the best candidates to emerge during the election.

He said many factors are involved in electing Nigerian president, and religion is just one of them.

He said: “There are many factors involved in electing President. Whoever wants to be president and those working for him have to go extra miles. In fact, they will need more prayers as they are consulting.

“With all these efforts, God has the final say on who becomes the president. Chief MKO Abiola who was a Muslim was elected alongside his vice, a Muslim. We only need to pray that if Tinubu wins, it will not be like that of late Chief Abiola.

“I don’t see anything wrong in Muslim-Muslim ticket because I don’t intervene in religious matters. Muslims and Christians are from the same father. “Some are Ismael, while some are Isaac who are siblings. So, what is now my own to be fighting with anyone among them?

“I don’t have issues with religion or traditional institutions. It is only God that knows who truly serve Him, so why must we fight over religion? All religions including traditional religion preach love, peace and good characters.

“It is only politicians who usually cause crisis with religion. If not for the incessant crises and killings in some parts of the country, we don’t usually think about the kind of religion people do or practice. But when gunmen started attacking churches and kidnapping clerics, people started doubting their fellow brothers who belong to another religion.

“So, they are the cause of all these problems. But God will intervene and make Nigeria peaceful again.”