After series of consultations and high-level politicking, the All Congress (APC) presidential candidate and national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sunday confirmed former Borno state Governor Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
The announcement came against the backdrop of the argument for and against the APC Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
While those opposed to the ticket say it’s not in the interest of national unity, the proponents argued in favour of competence and political reality, saying the Muslim-Muslim ticket remained the best option for the governing party if it’s to return to power in 2023.
However, in announcing Shettima’s choice, Tinubu said the serving lawmaker remains the best person that could help him achieve good governance.
Masari resigns
The decision followed the voluntary withdrawal of the placeholder-running mate, Ibrahim Masari.
Masari, who said this Sunday in a statement he personally signed, said his decision to withdraw would enable Tinubu latitude for more accommodation and inclusion that would position APC to win the coming elections.
The statement reads: “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.”
Shettima’s choice
And announcing Masari’s replacement Sunday during a media party at the Daura residence of President Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Tinubu said his choice of Senator Shettima as his running mate would help him achieve good governance.
The APC flag bearer arrived Daura Sunday afternoon to pay Sallah homage to President Buhari who arrived his home town Friday.
Shettima, a serving lawmaker and close associate of Tinubu, has been a staunch supporter and campaigner for the choice of former Lagos state governor as the next president.
He toured many states with Tinubu since December 2021 where he addressed party delegates and mobilised support for the former lawmaker.
Announcing the decision in a statement, Director Media and Communications Tinubu Campaign Organisation Bayo Onanuga said as governor of Borno state between 2011 and 2019, the 56-year-old Shettima ran his government on the similar template used by Bola Tinubu in Lagos.
“Despite the Boko Haram insurgency, he was able to build world class schools, housing and he also tapped on Human Resources outside his state.
“Among his closest aides were an Ibo Christian from Anambra State in the Southeast, an Urhobo Christian from Delta State in the South-South, a Christian from Edo State in the South-South, a Yoruba Christian from the Southwest, a Fulani man from Gombe in the northeast and a Hausa man from Zamfara State in the northwest.
“He was born on the 2 September, 1966 to the family of Sir Kashim Ibrahim. He is married to Nana Shettima, and they have three children: two females and a male.
“In a Wikipedia biography, Sen. Kashim attended Lamisula Primary School in Maiduguri from 1972 to 1978; Government Community Secondary School, Biu in southern part of Borno State from 1978 to 1980; transferred to Government Science Secondary School, Potiskum (now in neighbouring Yobe State) where he completed his secondary education in 1983. He studied at the University of Maiduguri and earned a Degree (BSc) in Agricultural Economics in 1989. He had his one-year compulsory membership of the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, at the defunct Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative Bank, Calabar, capital of Cross River State in South-South, Nigeria, from 1989 to 1990.
“He obtained a master’s degree (MSc) in Agricultural Economics in 1991 at the University of Ibadan in Southwest, Nigeria. Shettima joined the University of Maiduguri as a Lecturer with the Department of Agricultural Economics and was in the academia from 1991 to 1993,” the statement said.
My basis – Tinubu
Justifying Shettima’s choice in a personally signed statement obtained by Blueprint in Abuja Sunday, Asiwaju Tinubu said the latter “is the man who can help me bring the best governance to all Nigerians.”
Tinubu said to re-envision and reshape 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.”
He said decisions regarding the team around and supporting him had 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,” he further said.
In this regard, he said the former Borno state 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.”
Duo are moderate Muslims – Okechukwu
And in his reaction, Director General Voice of Nigeria (VON) Osita Okechukwu described the choice of Shettima as the best, saying both the presidential candidate and his running mate are moderate Muslims.
Okechukwu, an APC chieftain, had consistently kicked against the Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying there are Christians in Sokoto, Taraba and Kebbi among other northern states.
But making a U-turn, the VON boss said: “The choice of Distinguished Senator Kassim Shettima as Vice Presidential Candidate; methinks it is an excellent joint ticket.
“An excellent joint ticket because Distinguished Shettima is transparent, man of action and capable as Asiwaju pointed out. He did well as governor of Borno State and did a good pick as a successor in the person of Professor Zulum.
“On the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket, as a Christian one would had preferred Muslim-Christian ticket; however there was the likely input of Northern Governors who are staunch supporters of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“And as a veteran politician Asiwaju must had weighed all the options among which is competence, capability and reliability and sterling qualities must had guided his choice.
“The good news is that both are moderate Muslims, not ultra Muslims.”
Ladoja weighs in
Meanwhile, former Oyo state Governor Rashidi Ladoja has said politicians in the country only used religion to divide Nigerians ahead the 2023 general elections .
Ladoja, who is the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, said this Sunday during a chat with journalists in Ibadan.
He said there is nothing bad in electing Muslim as Nigeria President and the running mate in the next political dispensation come 2023, urging Nigerians to shun religious differences in electing their leaders.
“Nigerian politicians are just using religion to divide the citizens, religion should not be an issue among the people. There is no need for Nigerians to fight themselves over religion as both the Muslims and Christians are one.
