The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tiubu chose Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate because he was the right fit for the position.
Asiwaju Tinubu announced his choice in a letter personally signed on Sunday in Daura, Katsina State when he paid Sallah homage to President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Today I announce the selection of Sen. 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.
“Shettima’s career in politics and beyond shows that he is eminently qualified not only to deliver that all-important electoral victory but, also step into the shoes of the Vice-President.
“As a man with the talent, maturity, strength of character, and patriotism, he has my implicit confidence and faith,” Tinubu said.
He was also confident that him and Sen. Shettima being Muslims would not hurt the APC in the 2023 presidential election.
“If we truly understood the challenges upon us as a country, we must also see the imperative of placing competence in governance above religious sentiments.
“In 1993, Nigerians embrace Chief MKO Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe in one of the country’s fairest elections ever held.
“The spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023,” Tinubu added.
Asiwaju Tinubu also said that the choice of Shettima would brighten the APC’s chances at the poll.
Going Against the Norm
The APC’s presidential candidate would be going against the norm in Nigerian politics where religion and regional affinity play crucial roles.
With an almost equal Christian and Muslim population, presidential candidates are usually expected to pick a running mate of the religion other than theirs.
Tinubu, a Muslim, has however chosen another Muslim as his vice-presidential candidate.
It’s not the first time this is happening.
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 1993 election, Moshood Abiola chose a fellow Muslim as his running mate.
They won the election in what is believed to be Nigeria’s freest and fairest election.
The election was however annulled by the then military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
