The group denounced the attacks made on the All Progressives Congress, APC, decision to use the same-faith ticket by the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, and the former secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal.
Recall that Dogara and Lawal, APC chieftains, as well as some church leaders, had fought against the selection of two Muslims as the party's presidential candidates for the elections of 2023, claiming it was against religious balance.
However, the Northern Christian Youths contended that the tandem of Dogara and Lawal's overemphasis on the ruling party's selection of standard bearers of the same faith at the cost of other crucial concerns could spark a religious conflict in the nation.
In a statement on Friday night, the convener of NCYI, Hon. Mike Msuaan Msuaan, insisted that both men were ardent supporters of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC candidate.
He stated, "In actuality, Babachir Lawal wrote extremely damaging articles on Nigeria's Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo; he was also a presidential candidate in the APC primary that gave birth to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Babachir Lawal insulted his fellow Christian in favor of the Muslim Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Another well-known Tinubu supporter was Hon. Dogara.
"During the APC primaries, we did not observe either Hon. Yakubu Dogara or Babachir Lawal canvassing votes for any Christian candidates. We anticipate the pair, who have unintentionally become Christian faith defenders, to have supported either Prof. Osibanjo or Hon. Rotimi Ameachi, who were also leading candidates for president during the party primary.
"We anticipate that those who have previously held such lofty positions, such as those held by Hon. Dogara and Babachir Lawal, would exercise caution while spreading the seeds of division, whether they be religious, ethnic, or regional. Neither Babachir Lawal's appointment as SGF nor Hon. Dogara's election as a representative and later as speaker of the house of representatives were based on the candidates' religious beliefs. They were both elected to support the Federal Republic of Nigeria's constitution.
According to one school of thinking, Dogara and Babachir both tried to promote Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and harbored ambitions to run as his vice presidential candidates. It is claimed that their inability to obtain such endorsement is the only selfish reason they have grown exceedingly resentful and are spreading discord throughout the country.
"It is unacceptable for politicians who have attained such lofty positions of leadership in the nation they now seek to undermine to turn to divisive tactics in the manner Hon. Dogara and Babachir have after being passed over for the vice presidency.
"Hon. Dogara has won elections in a district that is almost entirely Muslim. The electorates did not choose him because of his religious preference or consideration, nor did they choose him to speak on behalf of any particular religion in the National Assembly.
"Tension in the nation will undoubtedly be caused by the general election in 2023 and competing interests. In order to achieve their political objectives, leaders like the former speaker of the house of representatives and the SGF shouldn't travel to hot spots in order to inflame the political climate.
Therefore, the group warned the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Christians in general to be wary of sudden defenses of Christianity and an apparent interest on the part of politicians like Hon. Dogara and Babachir Lawal, when in actuality, they supported a Muslim candidate to become the APC's presidential nominee.
The nation is experiencing economic hardship, and security concerns like kidnappings, banditry, Boko Haram, herders' conflicts, and farmer crises must be addressed immediately as a matter of national urgency. Now is the time to look for leaders who can solve these issues and bring the nation together.
The statement went on to say that "NCYI completely condemns the activities of Dogara and Babachir as capable of igniting religious conflict and endangering northern Christians."
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