Bola Tinubu: The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has explained that the choice of Senator Kashim Shettima as the Vice Presidential Candidate was not based on religion or to please one community or the other.
He said he made this choice because he believed Shettima could help him bring the best governance to all Nigerians, regardless of their religious affiliation or considerations of ethnicity or region.
Tinubu in a statement issued Sunday said his choice of Shettima was basically informed by his staunch belief in the country’s diversity.
He said all his life, his 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.
These principles, he said, helped him to assemble one of the most capable governing cabinets any state or this nation had ever seen when he was the Governor of Lagos state between 1999 and 2003.
He noted that he trusts enough in these principles to allow them to, once more, guide him to construct another exemplary team that can make Nigeria proud.
The APC presidential candidate stressed that in full compliance with existing law and regulation, he submitted all necessary documents regarding his nomination as the APC presidential candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He pointed out that as expected, the choice of his vice presidential running mate remained an open and burning question, adding that this gave rise to much speculation and debate.
Tinubu stressed that the voluntary withdrawal of Ibrahim Masari, the ‘placeholder’ whose name was submitted to INEC meant that he was called upon to put an end to the speculation.
He stated: “I have never been an indecisive man and have no present intention to become one. What I am, however, is a democrat. And a democrat must listen to, and consult with, the people and his advisors so that he may reform and govern wisely and on their behalf. This I have done.
“My political career was not built on blind indifference to the views of others. I appreciate the perspectives of leading members of the party, political allies and key national figures who see Nigeria’s future as I do. They gave me their views so that I might add their valuable insights to mine to reach the best decision possible and do so in a manner that strengthens the institutional fabric of our party as well as accelerating the evolution of our political democracy.”
He recalled that in 1993, Nigerians embrace Chief Moshood Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe in one of the fairest elections ever held.
Bola Tinubu noted; “The spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023. As such, the ticket we present today represents a milestone in our political history. It symbolizes our party’s determination to be a leading light among political parties in Africa.”
