With less than five days to go, the major political parties are still stuck in a dicey intra-politics of picking running mates for their presidential candidates.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed June 17, this Friday as deadline for submission of presidential candidates and running mate for political parties ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
In the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, a southern Muslim, is stuck over whether he should explore the Muslim/Muslim ticket which has attracted protests from the christian community or pick a northern Christian ticket.
So far, a number of serving Northern governors and top Christian northern politicians have been shortlisted for the running mate ticket.
In the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while the presidential candidate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a northern muslim, has been consulting the various party organs to decide where his running mate will come from. However, indications are rife that he will settle for a serving governor from the South South region.
This comes as the party is expected to unveil the running mate tomorrow.
In the Labour Party (LP), the presidential candidate Peter Obi is expected to pick his running mate from the North. A source close to his team, noted that he is likely to look towards a Muslim from either the North West or North East.
Also the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is expected to pick his running mate from the Southern part of the country, preferably a Christian for balance.
Presidential candidates of Social Democratic Party (SDP); Zenith Labour Party (ZLP); and African Democratic Congress (ADC), Prince Adewole Adebayo, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu and Dumebi Kachikwu, respectively who all hail from the south are likely to pick their running mates from the North.
