2023: APC postpones unveiling of Tinubu’s running mate
The All Progressives Congress has postponed the unveiling of Kashim Shettima as the running mate of its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
However, no official reason had been given as of the time of filing this report.
Also, no new date has been announced for the unveiling.
The PUNCH had reported that Tinubu announced Shettima as his running mate on Sunday, saying the former Borno State Governor was picked to enable good governance.
But the APC had failed to officially announce Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate four days after.
Controversy, however, greeted Shettima’s choice as some northern governors expressed reservations.
Also, many Nigerians faulted the selection of Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate, warning the APC against having a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Why I picked Shettima as my running mate -Tinubu
Tinub gave reasons for picking former Governor of Borno State, Kasim Shettima, as his running mate despite agitations against the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
He made this known in a statement obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday.
The PUNCH reports that there had been agitations against the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket the Christian Association of Nigeria and some prominent Nigerians.
According to Tinubu, he prioritised national growth and development above “religious sentiments” in picking Shettima.
Tinubu said Shettima’s career in politics and beyond shows that “he is eminently qualified not only to deliver that all-important electoral victory”.
The APC presidential candidate recalled that in 1993, Nigerians embraced Chief MKO Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe, in “one of our fairest elections ever held”.Punch
He explained that if we truly understood the challenges upon Nigeria, citizens would place competence in governance above religious sentiment.
“The spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023,” he added.
Part of the statement read, “I have never been an indecisive man and have no present intention to become one.
“Having now listened to the sage, careful advice of a broad section of the party and of the nation, there are a few points I feel I must make about the exceptional and extraordinary person with whom I will share the APC ticket and the principles of open and good governance that informed this choice.
“I am mindful of the energetic discourse concerning the possible religion of my running mate. Just and noble people have talked to me about this. Some have counselled that I should select a Christian to please the Christian community. Other have said I should pick a Muslim to appeal to the Muslim community. Clearly, I cannot do both.
“Both sides of the debate have impressive reason and passionate arguments supporting their position. Both arguments are right in their own way. But neither is right in the way that Nigeria needs at the moment. As president, I hope to govern this nation toward uncommon progress. This will require innovation. It will require steps never before taken. It will also require decisions that are politically difficult and rare.
“If I am to be that type of President, I must begin by being that type of candidate. Let me make the bold and innovative decision not to win political points but to move the nation and our party’s campaign closer to the greatness that we were meant to achieve.<br style=”box-sizing:
