How APC Smuggled My Name Into Tinubu’s List Without My Consent…

Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam, a proponent of social justice and peace, claimed on Friday that neither he nor his wife, Prof. Funmi Para-Mallam, were aware of their nomination as APC members of the Presidential Campaign Council because their permission was not requested.

Para-Mallam stated that the Christian Association of Nigeria had taken a stance against the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the APC and its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, despite the widespread national outcry. He insisted that he is not a card-carrying member of any political party in the nation.

The unexpected presence of roughly eight persons hostile to the Muslim-Muslim ticket on the roster of the APC campaign council caused stress in CAN, according to THEEAGLE.

Among them was Assistant General Secretary of CAN, Apostle Biodun Sanyaolu who was recruited as Assistant Coordinator; its controversial Lagos State chairman, Stephen Adegbite (member); Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Comfort Chigbue (member); and Testimony Onifade, former Personal Assistant to immediate past CAN President, Samson Supo Ayokunle (member).

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Others include Prof. Para-Mallam, Victor Ivoke, who served as Rev. Daniel Okoh’s personal assistant and is currently the president of CAN; Kwamkur Samuel, who served as CAN’s previous director of legal and public affairs; and (member).

Although the CAN officials’ terms of office expire in 10 days, sources claim Samuel has requested for reappointment.

Since the names were made public, the matter has continued to be discussed in a number of churches and CAN officials’ WhatsApp groups.

But Para-Mallam in a statement said his name was smuggled into the list by APC.

He said, “My attention has been drawn to a list in circulation which indicates that I (or my wife – Prof. (Funmi) Para-Mallam) have been nominated to serve in the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council. Neither of us is aware of this nomination and our consent was not sorted.

“Nigeria is a great country; our present setbacks notwithstanding. But I believe that Nigeria will be great again. I love this country. I am not a partisan politician. I am a clergyman and a social justice peace advocate. I am non-partisan. I am also not a card-carrying member of any political party in Nigeria today (not that it would be wrong, but I am not at moment).

“Besides, CAN has taken a position against any Muslim-Muslim ticket and any Christian-Christian ticket. I respect that decision. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious country. This contextual reality needs to show in the way our political parties play their politics through fair internal party politics.

“Accepting to serve in the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council will negate this fundamental reality of what we are as a multi-religious country. Politics of inclusiveness should override politics of exclusion not just in 2023 but beyond.

“I, therefore, wish to distance myself from membership of any campaign team of any political party in the forthcoming 2023 elections. I have some respected and close friends in all the major political parties. I will continue to work to promote political harmony and peaceful co-existence in Nigeria. May God give Nigeria peaceful 2023 elections.

“God bless Nigeria and guide both the parties and Nigerians as the campaign season commences.”