By Godson Ikpontu
National Stakeholders of the ruling All Progressive Congress and Northeastern Groups in the region has reacted to the forthcoming presidential elections seeking for national inclusion and unity. The stakeholders and youth groups are of the opinion that the APC Vice presidential pair should be a Christian from the Northeast with emphatic consideration on the demographic voting advantage it would attract for the party during the elections.
The proposed reaction was made few days ago by APC Youth Vanguard, APC NACOPIM and other APC youth Groups. The press briefing witnessed the presence of members of the groups, during which Executives of various groups noted that it is a common and recurrent decimal that in any clime where you find people of diverse groupings living together, certain actions or inactions within the political arena might stir ethnic and religious suspicion.
However, an objective examination of Chief Ezekiel Afukonyo reveals that he is competent and capable of clinging the Vice Presidential seat because of his track records as a security expert, a historian, an investment Strategist, a trained Diplomat, a politician per excellence, an indiscriminate Leader, a lover of peace, an expert in peace and conflict resolution and an outstanding author.
He is vibrant and of the age bracket of a desired Vice President for Nigeria, with excellent leadership skill. According to records, Ezekiel Afunkoyo is from the Jukun tribe of Kwarrafa, whose population cut accross 7 states. He is got all the qualities required to partner APC Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Already, Chief Afunkoyo is a recognised son of the kwararafa kingdom, with extensive influence which can attract massive votes for APC.
Analysts during the briefing stressed that if APC picks a Christian VP from the northeast votes from the North will be divided across religions lines which will authomatically assist APC in having a block of Christian votes for Tinubu and Afunkoyo. On the other hand, Analysts stated that Muslim votes will be shared into 4 portion; whereby a portion goes to Atiku Abubakar(PDP), another for Rabiu Kwankwaso (NNPP), others to Al Mustapha (PRP) and some other votes for Asiwaju respectively.
With Asiwaju Tinubu having a block Christian vote already from the north and yet sharing the odds of Muslim votes with other Muslim Candidates from the North, his victory is assured, as he is sure to clear South west, South South and allowing the likes of Peter Obi of Labour Party to cling votes from the Southeast.
Demographically, the political institutions however adviced APC on the available odds with a Christian VP like Ezekiel Afunkoyo, stressing that APC stands a better voting chance with a Christian VP Candidate from the Northeast. They stated that with a muslim-christian presidential candidate, the party stands the chance of earning more votes from across all regions.
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