Following a series of consultations and high-level politicking, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Congress (APC) presidential candidate and national leader of the party, confirmed former Borno state Governor Kashim Shettima as his running mate on Sunday.
The announcement came against the backdrop of the debate over the APC Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
While opponents argue that the ticket is not in the best interests of national unity, supporters argue that it is in the best interests of competence and political reality, arguing that the Muslim-Muslim ticket remains the best option for the ruling party if it wishes to return to power in 2023.
However, in announcing Shettima’s selection, Tinubu stated that the serving lawmaker is the best person to help him achieve good governance.
Masari resigns
The decision was made in response to the voluntary withdrawal of the placeholder running mate, Ibrahim Masari.
Masari said in a statement he personally signed on Sunday that his decision to withdraw would give Tinubu more leeway for more accommodation and inclusion, putting the APC in a better position to win the upcoming elections.
“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,” the statement reads.
“Recall that I was nominated as Asiwaju Tinubu’s running mate last month after a hotly contested presidential primaries ahead of the 2023 general elections.”
“However, after much thought and extensive consultation, I have decided to resign.” I realised that my decision will give Asiwaju more leeway to provide more accommodation and inclusion, positioning our party to win the upcoming elections with the support of the Nigerian people.
“By stepping down, I believe I can still serve our party and the country in a variety of other capacities.”
“I wish to confirm that I have submitted my withdrawal letter and affidavit as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Vice Presidential Candidate in the upcoming elections.”
“On behalf of myself and my 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 preference
In announcing Masari’s replacement at President Muhammadu Buhari’s Daura residence on Sunday, Asiwaju Tinubu said his choice of Senator Shettima as his running mate would help him achieve good governance.
The APC flag bearer arrived in Daura on Sunday afternoon to pay Sallah homage to President Buhari, who arrived in his hometown on Friday.
Shettima, a serving lawmaker and Tinubu’s close associate, has been a vocal supporter and campaigner for Tinubu’s selection as the next president of Nigeria.
Since December 2021, he has toured many states with Tinubu, where he has addressed party delegates and mobilised support for the former lawmaker.
In a statement, Director Media and Communications Tinubu Campaign Organisation Bayo Onanuga said that as governor of Borno state between 2011 and 2019, the 56-year-old Shettima ran his government on the same model as Bola Tinubu in Lagos.
“Despite the Boko Haram insurgency, he was able to build world-class schools, housing, and he also tapped into 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 September 2, 1966, to the family of Sir Kashim Ibrahim.” He is married to Nana Shettima, and they have three children: two females and one male.
“According to his Wikipedia biography, Sen. Kashim attended Lamisula Primary School in Maiduguri from 1972 to 1978; Government Community Secondary School, Biu in southern 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 earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Agricultural Economics from the University of Maiduguri in 1989. From 1989 to 1990, he served as a member of the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, at the now-defunct Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative Bank in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State in South-South Nigeria.
“In 1991, he earned a master’s degree (MSc) in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan in Southwest Nigeria. “From 1991 to 1993, Shettima worked as a Lecturer at the University of Maiduguri’s Department of Agricultural Economics.”
Tinubu, my foundation
In a personally signed statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, Asiwaju Tinubu justified Shettima’s selection, saying the latter “is the man who can help me bring the best governance to all Nigerians.”
To re-envision and reshape Nigeria, Tinubu stated, “I must assemble the best team possible, a team assembled with only one overarching goal in mind: to forever establish just, capable, and compassionate governance for the people of Nigeria, regardless of 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 by Nigerians from all walks of life demonstrating their faith in my ability to lead this country.” I am grateful for your outpourings of support, which show how much you believe in this country’s greatness. We will achieve national greatness as long as we walk and work together. I fully commit myself and my future labour to this joyful and great endeavour.
“In full compliance with existing law and regulation, I submitted to INEC all necessary documents regarding my nomination as the APC presidential candidate.” However, as expected, the selection of my vice presidential running mate remained an open and burning question. This sparked 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’ve never been an indecisive man, and I have no plans to become one.”
He stated that decisions about the team that surrounds and supports 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 assisted me in assembling one of the most capable governing cabinets any state or nation has ever seen.” I believe in these principles enough to let them guide me once more in building another exemplary team that will do Nigeria proud.
“Second, this chapter in our country’s history necessitates a bold yet pragmatic approach, a path already charted by the APC’s progressive ethos.” The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has laid the groundwork for long-term progress over the last seven years. Today’s challenges are consequential because the lives and livelihoods of millions of Nigerians are at stake. We will reach our goal thanks to visionary and creative leadership.
“Our focus must therefore be on getting the job done, which means hiring the very best and most competent people.” “In this critical moment, with so much at stake, we must prioritise leadership, competence, and the ability to work as a team over other considerations,” he added.
In this regard, he stated that 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.”
“Permit me to say this to all of you, especially those who will be disappointed by my choice based on religious considerations. I will not and cannot ignore our people’s religious and ethnic concerns. Taking them into account is an important aspect of good and capable governance.
“However, religion, ethnicity, and region cannot always and completely determine our path.” To move forward as a nation toward development and prosperity, we must break free from old shackles. We must rebalance our political calculations so that competence and fairness matter more than reductive demographics.
“This is why, today, I announce the appointment 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.”
Okechukwu and Okechukwu are both moderate Muslims.
In his reaction, Director General Voice of Nigeria (VON) Osita Okechukwu praised Shettima’s choice, saying both the presidential candidate and his running mate are moderate Muslims.
Okechukwu, an APC chieftain, has consistently argued against the Muslim-Muslim ticket, claiming that Christians exist in Sokoto, Taraba, and Kebbi, among other northern states.
In a U-turn, the VON boss stated, “The choice of Distinguished Senator Kassim Shettima as Vice Presidential Candidate; methinks it is an excellent joint ticket.”
“An excellent joint ticket because, as Asiwaju pointed out, Distinguished Shettima is transparent, a man of action, and capable.” He did well as governor of Borno State and chose a good successor in Professor Zulum.
“On the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket, as a Christian, I would have preferred Muslim-Christian ticket; however, there was likely input from Northern Governors who are staunch supporters of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
“And as a veteran politician, Asiwaju must have weighed all options, among which are competence, capability, and dependability, and sterling qualities must have 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 claimed that politicians in the country are only using religion to divide Nigerians ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, stated this Sunday during a press conference in Ibadan.
He stated that there is nothing wrong with electing a Muslim as Nigeria’s President and running mate in the next political dispensation in 2023, urging Nigerians to disregard religious differences when choosing their leaders.
“Nigerian politicians are simply using religion to divide citizens; religion should not be an issue among the people.” Nigerians do not need to fight over religion because Muslims and Christians are one.
