EXPLOSIVE As Tinubu Finally Opens His Pocketbook, Names Presidential Running Mate, Gives Shocking Reasons
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has finally opened his pocketbook and announced former governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, as his running mate in the 2023 presidential elections.
He made the announcement on Sunday in Daura, the hometown of President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina State.
Recall that Tinubu had in June said that his running mate was in his pocketbook.
The former governor of Lagos State briefed reporters about the choice at the end of a close-door meeting that lasted about an hour with Buhari at the President’s Daura residence.
According to the APC stalwart, Shettima was selected because the former Borno State governor is “competent, capable, reliable and able to be picked as a running mate”.
The APC presidential candidate was accompanied to Daura by Governor Aminu Masari shortly after his aircraft landed at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina State.
Senator Bola Tinubu was in Daura to pay a Sallah homage to President Muhammadu Buhari in his Katsina State home.
Buhari had left Abuja for his country home in Daura on Friday evening amid tight security, after the attack on his advance presidential convoy by terrorists.
He joined many Muslim faithful for the Eid prayers on Saturday morning.
Tinubu used the opportunity of his visit to inform the President of his choice of ex-Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Reasons For Opting For Muslim-Muslim Ticket
The presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu further gave reason why he chose Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate instead of a northern Christian.
In a statement he personally signed on Sunday, Tinubu said although he’s concerned about Muslim-Muslim ticket, he made his decision because he believes Shettima, a fellow Muslim will bring the best governance to all Nigerian regardless of their religion, ethnicity or region.
According to the APC candidate, Senator Shettima’s career in politics shows that he’s eminently qualified not only to deliver that all important electoral victory, but, also, step into the shoes of the Vice President.
Making reference to 1993, Tinubu urged Nigerians to place competence in governance above religious sentiment just as they embraced Chief MKO Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe.
Part of the statement read: “I’m mindful of the energetic discourse concerning the possible religion of my running mate.
“Today, I announce my selection with pride because I have made it not based on religion or to please one community or the other.
“I made this choice because I believe this 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.
“To those who will be disappointed in my selection based on religious considerations. I’ll 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.”, he stated.
Running Mate In My Pocketbook
Early June, 2022, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had said that the name of his choice of running mate is in his pocket book.
Tinubu said this when he visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.
Tinubu was accompanied on a thank-you visit to the president by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and MD/CEO Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Tinubu had lauded President Buhari for providing a level playing field for the process of selecting the party’s presidential candidate.
He recounted that the president had promised many times that he would support the democratic process and he had proven that with the party’s presidential primary, which he won.
“He promised the whole country and the world that he will build a legacy of transparency and consistency; legacy of a level playing ground for all the aspirants. He will be committed to democratic principles and values and he did so.
“He didn’t endorse anybody, he didn’t impose anybody, and he did not at any time attempt to tinker with the process of this election to favour one tribe or the other. He was steadfast, he was trustworthy, and he was dependable…
Asked also of the choice of his running mate, he said “I won’t tell you that. That is my right; it is in my pocket book.”
Ex-Governor Kashim Shettima played key role in January when various support groups in support of the presidential ambition Bola Ahmed Tinubu were merged into a single structure at the International Conference Center, Abuja.
The support groups announced their merger at the event organised by the Support Group Management Council where Tinubu supporters of different factions agreed to work together.
Former Borno State governor Kashim Shettima said at the event that the support groups are followers and believers in the former Lagos State governor’s vision for Nigeria.
