Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has named former governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
Tinubu’s decision is coming after the withdrawal of his clodpoll running mate, Ibrahim Kabir Masari, from the race, on Sunday.
Tinubu announced the choice of Shettima, on Sunday, in Daura, Katsina State, while briefing journalists, shortly after paying a Sallah homage to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Director, Media and Communication, Tinubu Campaign Organization, Bayo Onanuga, said “Senator Shettima is a close associate of Tinubu, who had been a staunch supporter and campaigner for the choice of Tinubu as the next president of Nigeria”.
He toured many states with Tinubu since December 2021 where he addressed party delegates and mobilised support for the former Governor of Lagos State,” he added.
Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim choice drew sharp reactions from the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Middle-Belt Forum, MBF, and former Secretary-General of Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Mr. Anthony Sani.
Tinubu in a statement announcing Shettima, down-played the controversy trailing his Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“Recall that in 1993, Nigerians embraced Chief MKO Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe, in one of Nigeria’s fairest elections ever held, saying “the spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023.” he said.