The presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has submittee his form with former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, as his running mate, ignoring critics.
Punch reported that a source revealed that the candidate had gone ahead to submit his form in spite of the outcry against his choice of Muslim-Muslim ticket.
The source said Tinubu had shunned all entreaties to drop Shettima.
Tinubu’s choice of Shettima had caused severe backlash from various quarters, particularly from Christians who feel marginalized.
The spokesman for Bola Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed to Punch the form had been submitted as planned.
He also said it would have been unwise for his principal to drop Shettima because certain people were uncomfortable with the choice.
“That is not possible. We have seen this move before; all these campaigns to pit us against fellow Nigerians. It happened in 1993 and the result was clear. There was pressure from several quarters for (MKO) Abiola to drop (Babagana) Kingibe because of his Muslim background,” Onanuga said.
“What we should be looking at is not religion but competence of the candidate to deliver and take the country to a greater height. They will soon realise that. As I said earlier, there is no likelihood of our presidential candidate dropping Shettima. He has selected him and Shettima will remain. He is a cool candidate. Either of them can be a President,” Onanuga insisted.
Onanuga disclosed that plans were afoot to appease CAN and disgruntled APC stalwarts, including a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, a former ally of Tinubu, who has been one of the most vociferous voices against Tinubu’s decision to settle for Muslim-Muslim ticket.
