MAKING A CASE FOR PASTOR (PROFESSOR) YEMI OSHIBAJO TO BE CHOSEN AS THE APC VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

I have always argued against bringing in religious considerations into the decision of who will run for President and who will be running mate to that person in the APC. If the APC is going to opt for a Muslim/Chistian ticket for strategic reasons and Fashola is going to be sacrificed because of that, my analysis of a winning ticket is beginning to tilt in the direction of renowned law Professor, top Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor and former Lagos State Attorney General for eight years , Pastor(Professor) Yemi Oshibajo.

This wise choice guarantees the votes of those Christians in the North Central, South South, South West and South East who believe in the APC's programs but may not be comfortable with a muslim/muslim Presidential ticket. With Pastor(Professor) Oshibajo on the ticket, the perceived baggage that Buhari carries will be more than compensated for. With this ticket, General Overseers of major Nigerian Churches will be eager to bless the ticket because one of their sons in Ministry will be on the ticket. They will gladly lay hands on Buhari/Oshibajo praying for God to give them courage, wisdom and the fear of God's awesomeness to govern fairly, justly, efficiently and skillfully. After all the bible says “once have you spoken and twice have I heard that power belongs to God.” They will need the God that power belongs to to lead them in the right direction. The Bible says that footsteps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord.

The PDP has made religion and tribe the center-piece of its bigoted Presidential campaign by highlighting and focusing squarely on the perception that Buhari is a religious zealot. With Pastor Oshibajo on the ticket that religious card will become obsolete. GEJ will be left with the tribal card which would have to be countered with massive TV, Radio, Newspaper and internet adverts. With the Buhari/Oshibajo ticket the APC will get a comfortable margin of victory on the first ballot but aggressive campaigning is a sine qua non to that outcome.

Bunmi Awoyemi, Ph.D is a public affairs analyst, international lawyer, author and entrepreneur.