Shettima: Tinubu reacts to agitations against Muslim-Muslim ticket

 Shettima: Tinubu responds to protests of the Muslim-Muslim ticket

Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima

Despite protests against a Muslim-Muslim ticket, Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, has explained why he chose Kasim Shettima, the former governor of Borno State, as his running mate.

He revealed this in a statement that The MEDIA was able to receive on Sunday.

According to The MEDIA, there have been protests against the Christian Association of Nigeria and certain well-known Nigerians as well as the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

According to Tinubu, in choosing Shettima, he put "national progress and development" ahead of "religious feelings."

Shettima's political career and other accomplishments, according to Tinubu, demonstrate that "he is perfectly qualified not simply to achieve that crucial electoral triumph."

In "one of our fairest elections ever held," Nigerians supported Chief MKO Abiola and his fellow Muslim running partner, Baba Gana Kingibe, in 1993, according to the APC candidate for president.

He explained that citizens would prioritize good government over religious feeling if we genuinely grasped the difficulties facing Nigeria.

He continued, "The spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023."

"I have never been an indecisive man and have no present plan to become one," the statement said in part.

There are a few comments I feel I must say about the remarkable and amazing person with whom I will share the APC ticket and the values of open and good governance that guided this decision after listening to the wise, deliberate advice of a large segment of the party and the nation.

"I am aware of the heated debate surrounding the potential religion of my running mate. I've heard from good and honorable individuals about this. Some have advised me to choose a Christian in order to appease Christians. Some have advised me to choose a Muslim in order to appeal to the Muslim community. I obviously can't do both.

"Both sides of the issue have compelling justifications and arguments in support of their claims. In their own ways, each of the reasons is valid. However, none is appropriate in the sense that Nigeria currently requires. I want to lead this country toward exceptional progress as president. Innovation will be needed for this. It will necessitate novel actions. Additionally, it will necessitate making uncommon and difficult political judgments.

"I must first run as that kind of candidate if I want to be that kind of President. Let me make the audacious and ground-breaking choice to advance the country and our party's campaign closer to the grandeur that we were meant to attain, not to score political points.

25. This is where politics comes to an end and real leadership has to start.

"Today, I proudly proclaim my choice since I didn't base it on my religious beliefs or my desire to appease a certain group of people. I took this decision because I think he can work with me to provide the finest government possible to all Nigerians, without regard to their religious beliefs, ethnicity, or location.

I'd like to communicate this to everyone, but especially to those who will be saddened by my choice due to religious factors. I shall not and am unable to disregard our people's sensitive racial and religious beliefs.

A crucial component of wise and competent government is giving them the consideration they deserve. Religion, race, and location, however, do not always and completely decide our course. We must free ourselves from previous restraints if we are to move forward as a country toward prosperity and growth. Our political calculations need to be rebalanced such that competence and justice are prioritized over reductive demographics.

"The spirit of 1993 is back upon us in 2023."

Tinubu stated that he selected Shettima as his running companion in an effort to advance and restore his position.

"Senator Kasim Shettima's history in politics and beyond proves that he is excellently competent not just to achieve that crucial electoral victory, but also to fill the position of Vice President," he claimed. He has my undying trust and faith as a man of talent, wisdom, moral character, and patriotism.

"I am aware that many people will continue to pay attention to a certain topic, his religious beliefs.

"However, if we are to properly comprehend the difficulties facing our country, we must also recognize the necessity of prioritizing competency in government over sentimentality.

In one of our most transparent elections ever, Nigerians supported Chief MKO Abiola and his fellow Muslim running partner, Baba Gana Kingibe, in 1993.

"The atmosphere of 1993 is back with us in 2023.

So, the ticket we propose today marks a significant turning point in our political history. It represents our party's resolve to take the forefront among African political parties.