APC Presidential Candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed why he decided to ditch the Muslim/Christian political permutation and opted for a same faith ticket.
Tinubu, a Muslim has today chosen Kashim Shettima, also a Muslim as the substantive Vice-Presidential Candidate of the APC, a decision that did not go well with some sections of the Christian populace.
While Tinubu was expected in certain quarters to choose a Christian from the North, he instead opted for a Muslim Kanuri, former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima.
In a press statement announcing Shettima as running mate, Tinubu said he is making the bold and innovative decision not to win political points but to rather move the nation to greatness.
He noted that as some counselled him to select a Christian, others counselled him to choose a Muslim but believes both have fair points but neither is right in the way Nigeria needs at the moment.
In his words:
“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.
“Both sides of the debate have impressive reason and passionate arguments supporting their position. Both arguments are right in their own way. But 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. Here is where politics ends, and true leadership must begin.
“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.
“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.
