The Tinubu Campaign Organisation said the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has opened talks with religious bodies and stakeholders in the country in the face of the controversy trailing his Muslim-Muslim ticket.
This is even as the Christian Association of Nigeria and Arewa Pastors denied knowledge of such move, adding that neither the former Lagos State governor nor his emissaries has approached them.
The development is coming seven days after the Redeemed Christian Church of God issued a disclaimer debunking a purported meeting between its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and the APC standard-bearer at the Redemption Camp in Ogun State
Speaking to The PUNCH on Tuesday, Director of Media and Communications for Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Bayo Onanuga, said his principal has started consultations with relevant stakeholders, including religious bodies.
He hinted that many people are unaware of the latest move because there was an arrangement not to have it published in the media.
“We are not publicising in the media. We are talking to the people concerned. The consultation process has started already. We are just not making a lot of noise about it because it is not meant for publication,” he said.
“When it is time, we will address the media. For now, we are talking to religious leaders. I am reassuring you again that the candidate is reaching out to everybody concerned,” he added.
When contacted for reaction, the Christian Association of Nigeria on its part denied having any contact with the APC presidential candidate or any of his representatives.
The association’s spokesman, Adebayo Oladeji, told our correspondent that such a meeting has not been brought to his attention.
“I am not sure anybody has reached out to CAN, at least, not to my knowledge,” he said.
The association’s General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, also corroborated Oladeji’s position in a separate interview.
“I don’t know about that. I am in Abuja presently and I can tell you that I have not seen or met anybody that looks like Tinubu in person,” he said.
Daramola also refused to comment on whether CAN could be swayed into changing its stance on the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying they cannot speculate.
In the north, President of Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association, Rev. Luke Shehu, also told The PUNCH that his members have not met with the national leader of the APC.
“Nobody among the Arewa Pastors was reached by Tinubu or any member of his team. However, we are open to talks and have no reservation about Tinubu or anybody visiting,” he said.
