The possibility that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu might bow to pressure to change his running mate was erased on Friday when he proceeded to submit Senator Kashim Shettima’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC).
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that a source within Tinubu’s camp disclosed to the press that hours to INEC’s deadline, Tinubu submitted Shettima’s name.
Recall that massive criticism had trailed the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate for the 2023 election to opt for a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Nevertheless, the former Lagos State governor has shunned critics to stick with his choice of Shettima.
Shettima himself waded into the controversy on Friday, asking people to remember that Tinubu’s wife of four decades, Oluremi, is a practicing Christian, and a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). The two-term Borno State governor also dismissed the notion that Tinubu has the intention of Islamising Nigeria.
Meanwhile, a former Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Taiwo Akerele, has said Tinubu was right to ignore critics of the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
According to Akerele, what Nigerians should consider when choosing a leader, are key issues, such as the ailing economy, rising inflation, unemployment and insecurity.
In a similar vein, a top campaigner of Tinubu, Barrister Adebayo Shittu told critics to vote for other candidates in the 2023 presidential race if they are dissatisfied with Tinubu’s choice of a Muslim running mate.
Shettima is expected to be officially unveiled at the APC headquarters in Abuja next week.
WHICH WARNING OF IGNORANT BACKWARD FELLOWS WITH LITTLE BRAIN!