Tinubu/Shetimma: APC senator proposes bill to bar same-religion ticket

Senator Smart Adeyemi representing Kogi West has proposed a bill to prohibit the nomination of candidates of the same religion on a joint ticket.

If passed into law, a presidential candidate would not be able to choose a running mate who shares the same religious affiliation.

This is coming amid outcry over the decision of Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to pick Kashim Shettima, his running mate, who are both Muslims.

The Muslim-Muslim ticket has drawn criticism, including from members of the party.

Speaking on Sunday at a media briefing in Abuja, Adeyemi said the bill is seeking to amend the electoral act.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that his proposed bill was titled “A Bill for an act to amend the Electoral Act 2022 and for other related matters connected 2022.”
According to him the proposed sub section 3 entailed that:

“No political party shall nominate candidates of the same religion as Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates after this dispensation.

“This bill may be cited as Electoral Act 2022 (Amendment) Bill, 2022,” Mr Adeyemi said.

“I hereby propose an amendment of Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 by inserting a new sub section 3.

“When this is accommodated, it will serve as a guide against any oversight, such as this in the future as further occurrences will be deemed as silent policies which will be capable of bringing down the fabrics of the nation.

“For me as a statesman, I owe myself the responsibility to speak the truth at all times, irrespective of mischievous misinterpretations,” Mr Adeyemi said.