After meeting with Buhari in Daura, Tinubu picks Shettima as running mate

OBIORA IFOH, Abuja and AHMED MARI,  Maiduguri

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has given reasons why he has chosen Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate, saying the latter “is the man who can help me bring the  best governance to all Nigerians.”

Tinubu announced Shettima as his vice presidential candidate after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari Sunday in Daura, Kastina state.

Some prominent party leaders have warned against a Muslim-Muslim ticket while some felt competence should be given priority.

In a statement he personally signed Sunday, Tinubu said to re-envision and reshape the Nigeria, “I must compose the best team possible, a team put together with but one overriding purpose: to forever establish just, capable, and compassionate governance for the people of Nigeria without regard to religion, region, or ethnic origin.

“In the weeks since becoming the presidential candidate and standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have been touched as Nigerians from all walks of life have demonstrated their faith in my capacity to lead this country. I thank you for the outpourings of support for they reveal to me the hope you hold for this nation’s greatness.

“As long as we walk together and work together, we shall arrive at our national greatness together. To this glad and great endeavour, I fully devote myself and my future labour.

“In full compliance with existing law and regulation, I submitted all necessary documents regarding my nomination as the APC presidential candidate to INEC. But, as was expected, the choice of my vice presidential running mate remained an open and burning question.

“This gave rise to much speculation and debate.

Recent events [the voluntary withdrawal of my dear friend and brother Ibrahim Masari] mean that I am called upon, today, to put an end to the speculation.

“I have never been an indecisive man and have no present intention to become one.”

According to Tinubu, decisions regarding the team around and supporting him have always been guided by the principles of competence, innovation, compassion, integrity, fairness, and adherence to excellence.

“When I was Governor of Lagos State, these principles helped me assemble one of the most capable governing cabinets any state or this nation has ever seen. I trust enough in these principles to allow them to, once more, guide me to construct another exemplary team that can do Nigeria proud.

“Second, this chapter in our country’s history demands a bold yet pragmatic approach, a path already chartered by the progressive ethos of the APC. The foundation for sustainable progress has been laid these past seven years by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The challenges of today are consequential because the lives and livelihoods of millions of Nigerians lie in the balance. Visionary and creative leadership will take us to our goal.

“Our focus, therefore, must be on getting the job done; and that means getting the very best and competent people to do it. In this crucial moment, where so much is at stake, we must prioritize leadership, competence, and the ability to work as a team over other considerations.”

While reaffirming the choice of Senator Kashim Shettima, Tinubu said the former Borno governor “is the man who can help me bring the  best governance to all Nigerians, period, regardless of their religious affiliation or considerations of ethnicity or region.

“May I say this to all of you, especially to those who will be disappointed in my selection based on religious considerations. I will not and cannot ignore the religious concerns and ethnic sensitivities of our people. Taking them into due consideration is an important part of good and able governance. But religion, ethnicity and region cannot always and fully determine our path. To forge ahead as a nation toward development and prosperity, we must break free of old binds. We must recalibrate our political calculations to where competence and fairness matter more than reductive demographics.

“This is why, today, I announce the selection of Senator Kashim Shettima as my partner and running mate in the mission to advance and reclaim the fortunes of this great country and the hopes of its people.”

Meanwhile, Masari in a statement announce his resignation as APC vice presidential nominee

“This is to inform our esteemed party leaders under our able President Muhammadu Buhari, teeming party members and the great people of Nigeria, of the outcome of a crucial discussion I just had with the flag-bearer of our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Recall that I had the singular honour and privilege of being nominated as the running-mate to Asiwaju Tinubu last month after a keenly contested presidential primaries ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“But, after much reflection and wider consultations, I now wish to step down. I realized that my decision will enable Asiwaju have more latitude to give more accommodation and inclusion that will position our party to win the coming elections, with the support of the people of Nigeria.

“In stepping down, I believe I can still serve our party and the country in several other capacities.

“I  wish to confirm that I have submitted my withdrawal letter and affidavit to that effect as the Vice Presidential Candidate to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed TInubu in the coming elections.

“On behalf of myself and family, I wish to sincerely thank Asiwaju Tinubu — the Incoming President, Insha Allah — for his trust in me and we promise to remain steadfast in our support for him and the party.

Similarly, the Tinubu Campaign Organization has confirmed Masari’ withdrawal as running-mate to Tinubu

“This is to inform and confirm that Alhaji Ibrahim Masari has stepped down as Vice Presidential nominee to the flag-bearer of APC in the 2023 presidential elections, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Alhaji Masari has communicated his decision to us from Saudi Arabia where he is presently performing the lesser hajj.

“While saluting Alhaji Masari’s sacrifice, we believe this will give Asiwaju Tinubu an opportunity to take a decision that will further enhance the chances of our great party in the 2023 elections.

But reacting to the development, The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) condemned the fielding of Muslim candidates for President and Vice by the All Progressive Congress (APC).

On his part, the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana  Zulum, has applauded Tinubu for picking Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the forthcoming 2023 general election.

Zulum who  stated this in a statement he personally signed, and made available to journalists in Maiduguri on Sunday said “earlier today, I received with the greatest joy, the announcement of my mentor, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima as the Vice Presidential candidate of our party, the APC and insha’Allah, the next Vice President of the Federal Republic under His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our incoming President, Bi’iznillah’.

“It  has been my greatest wish that HE Kashim Shettima gets this elevation that he so much deserves as one of Nigeria’s highly patriotic leaders. For me, and I am sure for many leaders and members of the APC, Tinubu’s choice of HE Kashim Shettima is the wisest choice at this point in time.”, Zulum added.

The Governor further explained that “the  Shettima’s choice is very personal to me and together with our leaders and all stakeholders and members of the APC, we shall campaign vigorously, work day and night, to collectively secure overwhelming victory for the APC in 2023, insha’Allah.”

“Without the slightest doubt, HE Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has chosen a leader who has very deep understanding of our country and its complexities. There is hardly any tribe in any of Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT that Senator Kashim Shettima cannot knowledgeably speak about. He knows the social, cultural, religious, economic and political structure of virtually all the 36 States and the FCT.,” he also stressed.

“Shettima is extremely patriotic. He believes so much in the unity of this country and he has proved it on a number of occasions. Shettima’s administration (in which I am honoured to have served as rector and as commissioner) truly reflected the Nigerian configuration. Above everything else, Tinubu has chosen for Nigeria, an incoming Vice President, insha’Allah, with very deep knowledge not only of the Nigerian economy (challenges and prospects) but also of the world., the statement said.

He also said “as far back as 2012, Shettima had on many occasions predicted the likelihood of fall in revenue from oil just as he predicted potential fall in the value of naira to dollar, which was why he imported agricultural products worth over N30 billion which today are worth far more, making Borno one of the richest in agricultural machinery.”

“I have more to say on this unique leader but I will reserve them for campaigns. In the meantime, I want to register our profound gratitude to the leader of our party, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, for his political leadership over the years and for supporting Shettima’s choice as our VP candidate.

”We are grateful to the national executives of the APC and members of the National Working Committee as well as all elders and stakeholders of our party.”, Zulum in the stage said.

He also used the opportunity to thanked all APC  stakeholders and the entire  members for the picking Shettima and promised to work hard for the victory of the party come 2023.

Meanwhile, Tinubu’s choice has attracted many criticisms across the country owing to the fact that Nigeria being a secular country has a large number of Muslims and Christians.

In a reaction sent through text message by the Special Assistant, Media and Communications, to the CAN President, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, it said the situation in the country now is not suitable for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

He said it is left for Nigerians to accept or reject the Muslim/Muslim candidature of the APC.

“The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has stated it clearly that the situation in the country now is not suitable for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“It is up to Nigerians to accept or reject. Today’s Nigeria is not the same as when Nigerians voted Abiola-Kingibe ticket which was eventually annulled. Our prayers are with Nigeria and Nigerians,” Oladeji said.

Also, The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, has said the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the APC is a danger to the collective wellbeing and unity of country assuring that its is an evil plot that Nigerians will defeat in 2023.

The National President of MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu who made the assertion in Makurdi while reacting to the choice of Alhaji Ibrahim Shettima as the running mate of Senator Bola Tinubu, also described the choice as an unfortunate development.

Dr Pogu noted that the choice was indicative of the ignorance and insensitivity of the APC to the mood and pains of Nigerians at this point in time.

Hear him: “It is an unfortunate development, unfortunate in the sense that we are living in a terrible period where the country is being tormented by insurgents from all over the place starting from Borno with Boko Haram and Shettima is from there.

“And if such is coming now without consideration to the plurality of this country with regards to region, religion and other issues, I think it is an unfortunate development.

“And for the presidential candidate of the APC to bow to such a pressure is an unfortunate development. One would wish that they would look at what would be beneficial to Nigeria at this time.

“Nigerians have not recovered from the insurgency coming from mainly Islamic origin, it shows that the APC is insensitive to the plight of Nigeria and Nigerians. And it’s not ready to bring healing, reconciliation and rescue Nigeria from the problems it is facing.

“Now it is also an unfortunate development because this time is not the same with the MKO Abiola time, which was several years ago. These are times that religion should be handled with care.

“We believe that Nigerians, both Muslims and Christians would rise up and defeat this evil because if it does succeed then I doubt if Nigeria will get out of it.”

According to him, “there are so many suspicious things going on which points accusing fingers to this government, of being complicit or at least being lenient towards the insurgency which is predominantly of Islamic origin. And for this same political party to now foist a Muslim-Muslim ticket, I thinks it’s an unfortunate development. But I believe that Nigerians will defeat it, and we’ll get out of it.

“The ticket poses a danger to the collective wellbeing and unity of the country. At a time when we have insurgents of different forms, Boko Haram, herdsmen militia, ISWAP and others of Islamic religion all from the North and then to say you are foisting on Nigeria a Muslim-Muslim ticket, it is the most unpatriotic presentation at a time like this.

“It means APC has no sense of plurality and unity in Nigeria. Of course if you look at appointments of the government in place, you will see that nepotism and religious leanings have been the case. And it will be unfortunate that the APC would go farther in this direction.

“Some are saying it doesn’t matter. That is not correct, at this time it does matter. And anybody who says it doesn’t matter is an enemy of the country, he doesn’t love Nigeria and doesn’t want Nigeria to succeed.”

Also, reactions have greeted the choice of Sen Kashim Shettima as the running mate of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

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His emergence as Tinubu’s running mate has ignited a debate in the social media especially on Twitter where some quarters believe the APC national leader has shot himself in the leg for choosing another Muslim as his vice, known as a Muslim-Muslim ticket in Nigeria’s politics.

The argument on Twitter flawed Tinubu’s audacity to opt for a Muslim-Muslim ticket, a move his two major challengers in the next year’s presidential election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) flag bearers, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi respectively avoided, in their bid to win the hearts of Nigerians at the polls.

While some tweets raised the issue that Chibok girls were kidnapped under Shettima’s watch as a governor in terrorism-laden Borno state in 2014, others concluded that former Lagos governor’s decision has left them with two options of Atiku and Obi in the presidential race.

Below are a few of Nigerians’ reactions on Twitter:

@firstladyship tweeted: “Tinubu picked Shettima, making the APC a Muslim-Muslim ticket. We are not voting for ethnicity or religion. We are voting for MERIT. We are voting against Corruption, ASUU Strikes, Hunger and Poverty, National Grid Collapses, Mad Insecurity, Crazy Inflation, etc. AM I MAKING SENSE?”

According to @nigeriasbest, “It was Shettima alongside Lamido Sanusi who said that the Niger Delta receiving 13% was one of the causes of Boko-Haram…If you elect divisive characters, volenti non fit injuria…”

“This same Shettima was governor when the Chibok girls were kidnapped. This is the governor that despite the warnings of @GEJonathan (former President Goodluck Jonathan) that no exams should take place, he still went ahead with the exams and #Chibokgirls got missing. This is the person @officialABAT (Asiwaju Bola Tinubu) wants as vice,” @thebardogbamola reacted.

@ayemojubar said: “Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket with Shettima will influence the decisions of at least 5% of voters in the coming election. Nobody plans to make 2023 election religion based, but the fear (of) Islamisation agenda which Buhari started is becoming too real and too scary.”

“You can insult me because I said no to a Muslim-Muslim ticket or not in support of Shettima,” @NabirAbduls said. “I really don’t care about insults. I have a bright future ahead of me and I have Peter Obi who got my interest and that of every Nigerian at heart…”

@biodunalexa tweeted: “Tinubu running a Muslim-Muslim ticket by choosing Shettima is his choice. He believes Muslims alone in the SW & the North can give him his Victory. Nigeria finally belongs to Muslims alone according to APC. Everyone vote your choice. Thank God there is a third candidate in Obi.”

@edwardessien asserted: “With Tinubu/APC choosing Shettima on the Muslim Muslim ticket, the race is now between Peter Obi and Atiku. Peter Obi will be President 2023. Bookmark this!”

Meanwhile, Deji Adeyanju, a socio-political activist, has reacted to Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s choice of Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

Tweeting via his verified Twitter handle on Sunday, Deji stressed that the ruling party was unconcerned about the sensibilities of Nigerians.

However, he hinted at the inability of opposition parties to unite and defeat the ruling party which it tipped for victory.

The tweets read: “Tinubu and the APC are saying they don’t give a damn. The message of the Muslim-Muslim ticket is too loud. In fact, they are having a good laugh and with a divided opposition, they will laugh harder in February.

“Shettima was at the Centre of Chibok girls abduction and also has a lot to say about Boko Haram. He once said if he said all he knew about Boko Haram, the country will burn.”