Will Northern Christians Vote APC?

Finally, INEC has registered the ‘true’ APC. The registration was greeted with mixed reactions. While supporters and sympathizers of the coalition of opposition parties were jubilant and were painting the pages of social media platforms with hosanna-in-the-highest-like lyrics, most people were completely indifferent while some contemplated the situation not without a little trepidation.

Whether right or wrong, most northern Christians (especially those in the North West and North East) perceive the APC as a gang-up between the Muslim North and Muslim South West to take over power to enshrine and continue the persecution and sociopolitical and economic subjugation of northern Christians. A lot of northern Christians believe they're not a tiny minority in the region, but are at least 40% of the northern population. They contend that they deserve a stronger voice and a proportionate representation in the power equation of the region and of the nation.

They point out the domination of the ACN by Muslims to buttress their position. All the South West ACN Governors (except the Ekiti State Governor) are Muslims. Almost all the political office holders in Lagos State are Muslims. Northern Christians fear the ACN has an Islamisation agenda for the South West and believe a gang-up with the CPC—a party whose members and supporters are almost entirely Muslims—would consolidate the Islamic ideal of dominating Nigeria. Most of these northern Christians would most likely not vote for Buhari, Tinubu, Fashola, El’Rufia, Massari or even Tumbuwal were he to decamp to the APC.

Of course you may think this position is absolutely myopic. You may also argue that northern Christians have not fared any better under a so-called ‘Christian’ president. A lot of politically sophisticated folks would say we should do away with this kind of tenuous religious and ethnic sentiments in our politics.

Unfortunately it is sentiment that motivates interest. It is interest (whether ideological, socioeconomic, class or religious) that drives party politics everywhere in the world. It is impossible to divorce religious and ethnic sentiments from the politics of a pluralistic society such as ours. The key is to ensure that these sentiments do not provoke extreme positions that infringe on individual rights, or are detrimental to the common good, or can harm our democracy. 

So, even though this perception seems myopic, it is the reality in northern Nigeria today. And this perception is not fed to people in northern churches and religious gatherings as some are wont to think. It has rather been reinforced and entrenched by the maniacal insurgency of the Boko Haram (for which northern Christians bear the brunt), and ACN leaders’ objection to the government’s proscription of the terrorist group and the imposition of a state of emergency in three states in the North East.

Undoubtedly, APC has some support among some northern Christians especially in some North Central states such as Benue and Nasarawa States. But they are few and their political affiliation seems to be motivated by the need to find accommodating alternative political space after losing out of the rigorous internal party dynamics of the PDP in their states. Chief Audu Ogbeh, Senator George Akume, Senator Solomon Ewuga and former Governor Jolly Nyame are prime examples.

If the APC is to enjoy electoral success in 2015, it must not fail to address the concerns of northern Christians. They are a critical swing block whose votes will ultimately decide who occupies Aso Rock Villa in 2015, as it did in 2011 when it provided Goodluck Jonathan millions of popular votes and the requisite one quarter votes cast in most northern states. Failure to do so guaranties the APC the loss of a large voter base in 2015.

Also Read:  Is APC Truly Anti-Christian