By Oluwaseun Sonde
All Progressives Congress APC Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that his choice of running mate, Senator Kashim Ibrahim Shettima was based on the competence of the candidate.
Tinubu who made this known when he paid Sallah homage to President Muhammadu Buhari, while briefing reporters about the choice at the end of a close-door meeting that lasted about an hour at President’s residence on Sunday in Daura, Katsina.
After conferring with the President, the APC Presidential Candidate, accompanied by Governor Aminu Bello Masari, told newsmen that President had to be properly notified, before an announcement would be made.
Shettima, a serving Senator representing Borno Central, was also former Governor of Borno State.
In his statement on choice of his running mate, Tinubu said that to re-envision and reshape the nation, he must compose the best team possible.
"A team put together with but one overriding purpose: to forever establish just, capable, and compassionate governance for the people of Nigeria without regard to religion, region, or ethnic origin.
"Having now listened to the sage, careful advice of a broad section of the party and of the nation, there are a few points I feel I must make about the exceptional and extraordinary person with whom I will share the APC ticket and the principles of open and good governance that informed this choice.
"A dominant theme of my political history and my personal life is my staunch belief in our diversity. Greatness lies in embracing our diversity and making it work to enhance the dynamism and justice of our political system. My selection of a running mate comports entirely with this longstanding inclination.
He stated further that in all his life, his decisions regarding the team around and supporting 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 helped me assemble one of the most capable governing cabinets any state or this nation has ever seen. I trust enough in these principles to allow them to, once more, guide me to construct another exemplary team that can do Nigeria proud".
Tinubu emphasized that his focus is on getting the job done; and that means getting the very best and competent people to do it. "In this crucial moment, where so much is at stake, we must prioritize leadership, competence, and the ability to work as a team over other considerations.
"I am mindful of the energetic discourse concerning the possible religion of my running mate. Just and noble people have talked to me about this. Some have counselled that I should select a Christian to please the Christian community. Other have said I should pick a Muslim to appeal to the Muslim community. Clearly, I cannot do both.
He cleared the air that both Christian or Muslim neither is right in the way that Nigeria needs at the moment. "As president, I hope to govern this nation toward uncommon progress. This will require innovation. It will require steps never before taken. It will also require decisions that are politically difficult and rare.
"If I am to be that type of President, I must begin by being that type of candidate. Let me make the bold and innovative decision not to win political points but to move the nation and our party’s campaign closer to the greatness that we were meant to achieve", he said.
APC Presidential candidate who announced his selection with pride because he made it not to base 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 best governance to all Nigerians, period, regardless of their religious affiliation of ethnicity or region.
"May I say this to all of you, especially to those who will be disappointed in my selection based on religious considerations. I will 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".
Tinubu noted that 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.
"I am aware that many will continue focus on a particular detail, the question of his faith.However, if we truly understand the challenges upon us a nation, then we must see the imperative of placing competence in governance above religious sentiment.
"In 1993, Nigerians embrace Chief MKO Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe in one of our fairest elections ever held. The spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023. As such, the ticket we present today represents a milestone in our political history. It symbolizes our party’s determination to be a leading light among political parties in Africa", he said.
Looking forward to a better Nigeria