Edward Onoja, the former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, reflected on the 2023 presidential election, explaining how the Tinubu Muslim-Muslim ticket influenced campaign conversations within Christian communities across his political engagements during the election period.
He said those visits were aimed at reassuring voters who expressed reservations about the ticket, adding that conversations centered on personal understanding rather than speculation or assumptions about leadership, character, governance, and public perception during campaigns then nationwide.
During the interview, he stated, “in the last election for Mr. President, I visited churches because the Muslim-Muslim ticket was working heavily against us. But we convinced our people that Mr. President is not who they think he is. He might be a Muslim, but he has a wife who is a Christian and a pastor.”
He explained that the discussions focused on easing concerns among church members by sharing his perspective about the presidential candidate, saying he believed direct engagement was more effective than allowing doubts and uncertainty to shape public opinion.
He maintained that speaking directly with people helped his team communicate their position clearly, adding that conversations at community level allowed supporters to respond to questions, address concerns, and encourage informed participation throughout the election period.
In his concluding remarks, Onoja maintained that respectful engagement remained essential during elections, expressing confidence that open conversations with voters could address misunderstandings and strengthen public trust without relying on hostility or divisive rhetoric during political campaigns.