By our reporter| The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Sunday kicked against the choice of former governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima as the running mate to the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu had earlier on Sunday during a visit to the president, Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina state announced Shettima, a Muslim, as his running mate.
CAN, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, and Civil Society Organisations had warned against fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election.
CAN’s spokesperson, Adebayo Oladeji, who made the view of the Christain umbrella group public in an interview with a national publication, said making such a decision in a polarised country was a wrong move, warning
that Nigerians should be ready to face the consequences of their actions if they endorsed and vote for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
According to him, if Christian clerics and worshipers are being killed while a pastor is the vice president of the country, the security of lives and properties of Christians under a Muslim-Muslim could not be guaranteed.
“We knew this was what he was going to do and we have warned against it. It is up to Nigerians to decide on what they want, he said.
“You are all alive when we warned Buhari not to allow Muslims to dominate the security architecture of the country and he did it. I think we can see the way the criminals are operating with impunity.
“So, if Tinubu says he is opting for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in a polarised country like ours, if Nigerians endorse him and vote for him, whatever happens, Nigerians will face the consequences.
“If you have a government where a pastor is a vice president and pastors and worshipers are being killed you can imagine what will happen when we have a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“It is left to Nigerians to make their choice, let them vote them in and we will all face the consequences together.
“We are raising our alarm. It is an irony that Buhari they regarded as an extremist when we raised an alarm to warn him against a Muslim-Muslim ticket, he heeded and opted for a Christian as his vice-presidential candidate.
Earlier on Sunday, Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the 2023 election picked Kashim Shettima, former governor of Borno state as his running mate.
Tinubu made the disclosure while addressing journalists after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina state.
Shettima is a serving senator and a former two-term governor of Borno state.
Bayo Onanuga, director of media, Tinubu Campaign Organisation, also announced Shettima’s selection in a statement.
“All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate and National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday confirmed Senator Kashim Shettima as his Vice Presidential candidate,” the statement reads.
“Senator Shettima is former Governor of Borno State and a close associate of Tinubu who has been a staunch supporter and campaigner for the choice of Tinubu as the next President of Nigeria.
“He toured many states with Tinubu since December 2021 where he addressed party delegates and mobilised support for the former Governor of Lagos State.”
The announcement comes shortly after Ibrahim Masari stepped down as the “placeholder” running mate of Tinubu.
Masari was in June selected as Tinubu’s running mate — but only in a temporary capacity.
In the statement announcing his withdrawal, Masari said it was an “honour and privilege” to be nominated.
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