In an apparent dramatic volte face, some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of APC National Stakeholders recanted, switching their position against Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying they endorse the choice of Sen Ibrahim Shettima as running mate to presidential candidate of the party, Nola Ahmed Tinubu..
The party stakeholders however premised their abrupt and complete reversal of position on the notion that prioritising capacity, competence, character over religion and ethnicity, two sentiments they said has failed to yield governance results in the past.
Speaking at press conference in Abuja, convener of APC national stakeholders, Aliyu Audu, urged Nigerians to consider Tinubu’s choice of the former governor of Borno State as a confirmation that Tinubu will not shy away from making tough decisions when the needs arise for the their collective interest.
Justifying their sudden change of mind, the APC stakeholders said, “While we may have advocated for the selection of a running mate with a faith different from that of the presidential candidate so as to give the sense of inclusion to followers of both major religions we are aware that in order to build an effectively working society we must prioritize Capacity, competence, character over Religion and ethnicity especially as prioritising such sentiments in the past have not provided the desired goal of sense of inclusion which can only truly be achieved when all Nigerians experience good governance at all levels regardless of their faith, ethnicity or social class.
“We understand that reaching this all important choice must have been a hard nut to crack even for an exceptional leader like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. We are however enthused that he approached the decision with all the seriousness, sensitivity and wide consultations it demands and as such believe that he made the best decision in the overall Interest of our unity, national growth, development and progress, without allowing unproductive premordial sentiments to derail or affect our collective goal of building and sustaining a working society where integrity, competence, character and capacity play huge roles.
“This has reaffirmed our trust and confidence in his abilities as a leader to make decisions whose overall interest for the country, either in the immediate or for the future towers above sentiments that are though equally important but not enough requirement for the leaders we need to prosecute the tasks ahead.
“It is on this basis that we call on patriotic and well meaning Nigerians to see this as a confirmation that our next president will not shy away from making tough decisions when the needs arise and that such decisions would be made in the best interest of our collective success while also taking every sentiment into consideration.
“The Birth of a new Nigeria that works is upon us and we have every belief that Senator Kashim Shettima is one of the vehicle to that destination. His track records of bringing developments close to the people while he served as governor of Borno State, despite the challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgency places him above his peers.”
Expressing confidence in Shettima as the best bet for he vice president slot, the stakeholders recalled that the Senator has proven the mettle by moving motions and bills critical to the advancement of the nation.
“He is a patriotic Nigerian who knows not the social, cultural, religious, economic and political structure of the country but lives by them. His ability to relate with with people of different tribes and religion, a quality he has demonstrated by having some of his closest aides from the southern region and of a different faith stands him out as one of the most detribalised Nigerians of today.
“We are therefore excited by his choice as the APC Vice Presidential candidate and we welcome, embrace and endorse the decision with the believe that it will birth a new Nigeria where ethnicity, religion, gender or place of origin will not constitute impediments to the growth and development of every citizen.
“We promise to commit ourselves in ensuring not only the victory of the ticket, but one with unprecedented vote and margins ever recorded in the history of presidential contest in the country.
“We commend His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for settling for such an individual not only because he is a preferred choice, but because in reaching that decision, he consulted, listened and added the valuable insights of leading members of the party, political allies and key national figures to his own ideas before Senator Shettima was eventually unveiled as his running mate.
“We must also commend President Muhammadu Buhari for his political leadership and governance as well as acceding to the choice of Shettima as our Vice Presidential Candidate and by the grace of God, the next Vice President of Nigeria,” they added.
