PDP has more Muslims than APC –Sambo

Vice President Namadi Sambo has been criticised for whipping up
religious sentiments in a last-minute move to increase the chances of
the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming presidential poll.
Amid a call on politicians to restrain from divisive statements, the
PDP's presidential running mate, on Wednesday, at a rally in Minna,
Niger State, said the ruling party was more Muslim-friendly than the
opposition All Progressives Congress.
Sambo, in a video posted on You Tube, said whereas the APC
presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) was
encircled by Christians, while key stakeholders of PDP, except
President Goodluck Jonathan, were Muslims.
He urged the party supporters to dismiss anybody who would tell them
that APC was more Muslim-friendly than PDP. PDP, he claimed, had an
advantage if religion became a yardstick for choosing which candidate
to vote for during the February 14 poll.
"Our chairman, Adamu Mu'azu, is a Muslim, the Director General of the
campaign organisation, Ahmadu Ali, is also a Muslim. I am a Muslim. It
is only our presidential candidate that is a Christian," he said.
Amidst a burst of excitement from the gathering, Sambo continued, "In
APC, its National Chairman is a Christian, its Presidential Campaign
Director General is a Christian and the vice presidential candidate is
a pastor."
The supporters, who were fascinated by the sentiment, yelled PDP in
response to Sambo's question, "Which between the two parties has more
Muslims?"
Noting that Nigeria belongs to all, Sambo who spoke in Hausa, said
adherents of both religions had always worked together for the
development of the country.
Tolu Ogunlesi, a writer and social media commentator, regretted that
Sambo, whom he said should have known better, stuck to religious
sentiments.
He said, in a tweet, that the Vice President had consistently
maintained that the APC is a Christian party in the North while
claiming in the South that "the party is for Muslim fundamentalists."
Stanley Azuakola, tweeting via @stanleyazuakola, said, "I cannot
believe this. Sambo campaigning against APC because John Oyegun,
Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Yemi Osinbajo are Christians? What has
gone wrong with the Vice President?"
Chxta, who claimed to tweet from Greece, described Sambo's utterance
as "divisive and utterly devilish." Tweeting on @chxta, the user said
the country was in an urgent need of a unifying leadership.
Another commentator, Stanley Azuakola described the statement as "the
lowest moment of the campaign season."
Sambo had earlier, at a Jigawa rally, listed key northern Muslim
ministers in the Jonathan administration to underscore his assertion
that the PDP was a better option for Muslims.
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At another campaign event in Zamfara State, he jokingly introduced
himself as Muhammadu of Madina, saying he had a direct link with
Madina. Both statements were, just like the recent one, condemned on
social media and beyond.
The PDP have yet to comment on Sambo's recent statement. The party's
leaders, however, have always maintained that PDP is fair to all
interest groups.
On Thursday, President Goodluck insisted that the current
administration achieved exceptional record in women empowerment.
"I have always advocated women empowerment, which is why I am proud of
the efforts our administration has made. We have appointed more female
ministers than any other administration in the history of Nigeria.
"I also promoted gender equality by ordering the Nigerian Defence
Academy to begin accepting female cadets. I have never regretted that
decision, as our women have won laurels in Nigeria and abroad," he
said on Facebook.
Jonathan also said Nigerian women would never again be relegated at
the national level. He said two million female farmers who have
benefited from the administration's empowerment "are contributing
their quota to making Nigeria meet the national food security
targets."
In another post, the President said Nissan, Hyundai and Kia had
started selling cars that were assembled in Nigeria to neighbouring
countries.
He added, "The government is today patronising brands by Innoson Group
of Companies at the Presidency and for ministries, departments and
agencies. This is the progress that must be supported and applauded by
all."
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Credits:the punch