Gov. Lalong Supports Muslim-Muslim Ticket
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state criticised Christians who oppose his appointment as the Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organization, claiming that the Pope has not informed him that what he is doing is improper despite being a Catholic with the highest papal award.
Lalong stated this on Wednesday. As soon as Bola Tinubu became the APC’s front-runner for president, the former governor of Lagos chose Kashim Shettima, the former governor of Borno, to be his running mate.
The development has stirred much debate, notably among Christians, like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which has since rejected the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Despite the defence of his selection of Shettima as his running mate, critics have continued to be persistent, given Nigerians’ religious solid traditions.
But after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja, Governor Lalong supported the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Lalong stated during a question-and-answer session that despite his new duty to promote a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, he is still a devout Catholic and is a Knight of Saint Gregory recipient.
Governor Lalong stressed that he had great regard for his Christian faith and emphasised that he was elected governor on behalf of people of all faiths, including atheists.
The Plateau leader added that, as a result, he is unsure of the origin of individuals who assert that they are Christians and are opposed to his appointment.
He recalled that the state branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which was running the APC Presidential Campaign, welcomed him upon returning to Jos following his recent appointment as the DG.
Additionally, Governor Lalong revealed that he had a meeting with the President to express his gratitude for the presidential pardons given to former Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye and his counterpart from Taraba State, Jolly Nyame. They had recently been released from prison.
