Tinubu picks ex-Borno governor, Shettima, as running mate, as CAN kicks

Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has settled for former Borno Governor and senator representing the Central senatorial zone of the state at the current National Assembly, Kashim Ibrahim Shettima, as his preferred running mate for the 2023 General Elections.

This is also as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) objected to the idea of a Muslim-Muslim ticket from the APC at the 2023 polls, as it told the party it cannot guarantee APC votes in the forthcoming election.

Shettima who currently represents Borno Central district at the senate since 2019, was also a two-term governor of the state.

Earlier, Sunday, a highly-competent source in the Tinubu Campaign Organisation who requested anonymity confirmed the development in Abuja, saying the full details will be made public later this week.

However, addressing journalists in Katsina State on Sunday, Tinubu said he has settled for Senator Shettima as his running mate.

Tinubu and some stakeholders of the ruling party met President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura Katsina State on Sunday.

The selection of Shettima has now put to bed the hopes of some political and religious advocates to see the APC standard bearer pick a Christian for the position.

While hinting at a Tinubu settling for a Muslim as Vice Presidential candidate, the source explained that Tinubu was not thinking about religion, but about competence, exposure and intellectual depth of the candidate.

 “The vice-presidential nominee may most likely be a former governor and senator from the Northeast part of Nigeria.

“The person is also by accident of birth a Muslim, confirming what Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State said on Saturday that Tinubu had settled for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“The considerations given for the choice of a running mate were dictated by the need to choose an individual capable of working with the presidential candidate to take Nigeria to greater heights,’’ the source said.

Tinubu won the APC’s presidential ticket at the party’s June 8 special national convention and presidential primary election.

He had earlier chose Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, as a placeholder for the vice-presidential slot.

Meanwhile, reacting to Tinubu’s choice of a Muslim, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said it will not support the APC presidential candidate if he makes such a choice.

 Assistant General Secretary, CAN, Elder Biodun Sanyaolu, said the religious body will also not support any Christian presidential candidate who picks a fellow Christian as running mate

Meanwhile, the governor of Kano state said Tinubu has agreed to pick a Muslim running mate as he seeks to succeed Buhari in 2023.

CAN’s position follows its belief that strong northern stakeholders “have settled to pick a unanimous particular person, likely to be a Muslim to be officially announced soon.”

Elder Sanyaolu condemned the decision, saying the move would not be supported by members.

“CAN has made its position known that Muslim-Muslim ticket will not be supported even Christian-Christian ticket either.

“It is not about Muslim-Muslim ticket or Christian-Christian ticket it is the mistrust existing in us for the last seven years which have been so terrible even with Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC.

“All we are saying and want is the leader that will do well to everyone, irrespective of class, religion, s*ex, region, colour, among others.

“All we are craving for is a leader that will be fair to all Christians, Muslims and even traditionalists. Poverty doesn’t know religion.

“If there is a bomb blast it will kill whoever on its way not minding religion. We want good leadership that will be fair to all and good governance in Nigeria.”