Veteran Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, has resigned his membership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) over the party’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for the 2023 general election.

This is just as the governorship aspirant of the APC in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, resigned his membership of the party over its decision to fly a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

While Okonkwo announced his defection from the APC via a letter shared on his Instagram page on Monday, Princewill made his decision known via a letter dated July 12 and addressed to the APC Chairman, Ward 3 (Royal Ward), Buguma City in Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Star had reported that the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, who is a Muslim, picked a former governor of Borno State, Sen. Kashim Shettima, as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election, forming a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Okonkwo stated that APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket would permanently destroy the political viability of Christians in the North if allowed to stand.

The actor added that he resigned his membership in the interest of equity, justice, fairness, and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

Okonkwo stated: “Recall that joined APC because of its Constitutional vow, as true Progressives and Patriots, to eliminate all forms of discrimination and social injustice in Nigeria, thereby building the nation a nation which will guarantee equal opportunity for all and ensure mutual and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

“Those ideals are now alien to the APC, with their unfortunate decision to paint our Muslim brothers in had light, by insinuating that the Muslims in Nigeria will not accept or vote for a Northern Christian as Vice-President to pair with a Southern Muslim.

“If Muslims could vote voluntarily for Southern Christian Presidents, it is then a fallacy to insinuate that they cannot accept a Northern Christian Vice-President. This will permanently destroy the political viability of Northern Christians in Nigeria, if allowed to stand.

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“Being the convener of the Campaign for Equity and Justice in Nigeria, and as a former member of APC Presidential Campaign Council, which resisted same religion presidential ticket in the past, I can no longer continue to lend my name to these abnormalities in the interest of our peaceful co-existence, integration and progress of our beloved country,” the letter partly read.

Meanwhile, Princewill, in his resignation letter, said he cannot continue to “argue for equity in my state and defend inequity in my country”.

The governorship aspirant, who is an ally of the immediate past Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, added: “While I appreciate my leader, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi and all his efforts, I cannot defend the decision of my party, in fielding a Muslim Muslim ticket, especially at a time like this, against all protestations from well meaning Nigerians, across religious and political divides.

“It sets a very wrong precedent, it is totally insensitive and even if you win, will prove bad for good governance. Under these dire circumstances, I find no justification to still remain, in good conscience, a member of a political party that subordinates electoral victory, over the safety of lives and the peace of mind of its citizens.

“The men and women of our party here in Rivers are the most loyal and faithful supporters I have met. They know right and they know wrong. And they know me. I enjoyed working with them and I’m so sad to leave.

“But an APC party that totally disregards the basics of the same equity we preach, is alien to me. Buhari resisted the same temptation and chose a little known Osinbajo and won.

“I wish you well. And I remain grateful to our Leader, but I can not defend the indefensible. And to be totally honest, neither should you,” Princewill stated.

The Star