NewStats: 3,260,960 , 8,172,903 topics. Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 at 01:51 AM 615l32

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Friday, dashed the hopes of several Nigerians wishing that he would reconsider his stance on the contentious Muslim-Muslim ticket by replacing former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, with a northern Christian, as his running mate.

A source within Tinubu’s camp revealed hours to the deadline of the Independent National Electoral Commission that the APC standard-bearer had shunned all entreaties to drop Shettima.

Tinubu, who is a southern Muslim, had incurred the wrath of the Christian Association of Nigerian, some party and political stakeholders when he announced Shettima, a northern Muslim, as the ‘special one,’ to be his running mate.

He broke the news to journalists after his closed-door meeting with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at his residence in Daura, Katsina State during the Sallah break.

The announcement provoked widespread criticisms, particularly from the Christian community with its feeling of marginalisation and age-long suspicion of an alleged plan to Islamise Nigeria.

Following the outrage that greeted his decision, Tinubu’s men and campaign teams deployed diplomacy and political conversations in the media to assuage frayed nerves.

The desperate move to downplay talks surrounding ‘Islamisation of Nigeria’ fuelled the belief that Tinubu and the leadership of the APC might consider dropping Shettima for a northern Christian before INEC deadline.


However, the possibility that Tinubu might bow to pressure to change his running mate was erased on Friday when he went on to submit Shettima’s name to INEC.

The spokesman for Bola Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Bayo Onanuga, told Saturday PUNCH that it would have been unwise for his principal to drop Shettima because certain people were uncomfortable with the choice.

“That is not possible. We have seen this move before; all these campaigns to pit us against fellow Nigerians. It happened in 1993 and the result was clear. There was pressure from several quarters for (MKO) Abiola to drop (Babagana) Kingibe because of his Muslim background,” Onanuga said.

The campaign spokesman urged Nigerians to focus on competence instead of flying the kite of ethno-religious sentiments.

“What we should be looking at is not religion but competence of the candidate to deliver and take the country to a greater height. They will soon realise that. As I said earlier, there is no likelihood of our presidential candidate dropping Shettima. He has selected him and Shettima will remain. He is a cool candidate. Either of them can be a President,” Onanuga insisted.

The former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria also disclosed that there were ongoing efforts to appease CAN and disgruntled APC stalwarts, including a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, a former ally of Tinubu, who has been one of the most vociferous voices against Tinubu’s decision to settle for Muslim-Muslim ticket.


He said, “I can assure you that Tinubu will appeal to Babachir and others. What we are seeing is natural. This is politics where you may not get all you want. But we know people will soon realise that the choice they have is not really a bad one.

“Don’t forget that we are still six months away from the 2023 elections. In politics, even 24 hours is a long time. Anything can happen that can change the course of things. There are moves by the party to appease all of them to rally round the presidential candidate for the election.”

Meanwhile, a former Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Taiwo Akerele, has said Tinubu was right to ignore critics of the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Akerele said, “When we talk of Muslim-Muslim ticket and Christians are saying the VP choice should be a Christian, I begin to ask, what happens to the majority of 120 million Nigerians that are neither Muslims nor Christians, many who didn’t go to church or mosque?

“Between 1999 and 2007, the PDP gave us a Muslim vice presidential candidate from the North. In 2007 to 2011, it was the turn of Jonathan, a Christian. And today we have a vice president, who is a pastor and a professor.

“Christians and Muslim have had their turn. If Tinubu is going to come under pressure to drop Shettima, God forbid, it should not be the turn of Christians or Muslims, it is the turn of pagans.”

According to Akerele, what Nigerians should consider are key issues, such as the ailing economy, rising inflation, unemployment and insecurity when choosing a leader.

Similarly, the Director-General of Asiwaju Tinubu Presidential Campaign Organisation, Adebayo Shittu, also confirmed that the former Lagos State governor and APC leader plan to engage religious bodies and other stakeholders.

He said, “I can assure you that we will do the needful. We know what to do. Is the ultimate aim not for close ranks and work towards winning the presidential election? We will do it.

“Let me also point out that it is not all Christians, even among the clergy, that are aggrieved with our decision. We should not generalise. But we know many of the disgruntled party are ers and loyalists of the vice president (Yemi Osinbajo). That is why we said the APC is a party of ‘free ers’ and ‘free leavers.’ Anybody can leave and come in anytime.”

A source in the Christian Association of Nigeria told Sunday PUNCH that the leadership of the Christian had not had any engagement with Tinubu or anyone from his camp.

https://punchng.com/muslim-muslim-ticket-tinubu-ignores-critics-submits-inec-form/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1657935479

Good riddance to bad rubbish
Any Okoro that want to die should die peaceful

APC and Islam

APC says RELIGION does not matter but some people want Hijab to be worn in all Secondary Schools

APC says RELIGION does not matter but you cannot sell alcohol in some states in NIGERIA

APC says RELIGION does not matter but "Jonathan" was declared religiously infidel in 2015 despite not contesting to become an IMAM

APC says RELIGION does not matter but almost every notable Northerner ed the killing of Deborah. If RELIGION does not matter she would have been alive today and you know what, her killers and their ers are all going to vote someone in 2023

APC says RELIGION does not matter in NIGERIA but we have a Constitution that recognises the CRIMINAL CODE in the South and PENAL CODE in the North

APC says RELIGION does not matter but HISBAH is a religious police backed by law and it's officers can arrest a normal police officer

APC says RELIGION does not matter but Leah Shuaibu was denied freedom because those that negotiated the release of the kidnapped Dapchi school girls were of different RELIGION

APC says RELIGION does not matter but a Northern Christian is bad for political business

APC says RELIGION does not matter but enact religious beliefs into our laws. If religious beliefs inspire the laws that govern us, then the influence of RELIGION shouldn't be down played

APC says RELIGION does not matter but a Christian woman was killed in Abuja because she was preaching close to a Mosque. Her killers are still walking around freely and will vote during the elections

APC says RELIGION does not matter but our government continues to sponsor pilgrimages to Mecca and Jerusalem every year

APC says RELIGION does not matter yet churches are set ablaze by those shouting "Allahu Akbar"

APC says RELIGION does not matter but NORTHERN NIGERIA will never a Christian - Christian ticket for the presidency

APC says RELIGION does not matter but you cannot build churches in major places in Kano

APC says RELIGION does not matter but Sharia law exists in some states in the supposedly secular NIGERIA

APC says RELIGION does not matter but when we had a Christian PRESIDENT someone we all know said an attack on Boko Haram was an attack on the North

APC says RELIGION does not matter but you cannot even clap your hands and praise Jesus in Kirikasama Local Government Area in Jigawa State

Credit goes to
Awhuubaba Goara

I wish y'all can see channels interview of bucknor akerele, tinubu ex deputy, una go get sense

Death go plenty for Alaigbo over this news. Though I am a Christian but Tinubu de give me endless joy with his choice. My respect to the sensible igbos and Christian in the north I know without much explanation you know the reason why this difficult choice need to be.

Make no Igbo Ipob / PDP n Obi urchins quote me unless you want thunder to kill your entire household in addition to you unborn generation.

To him north does not vote for anyone that is not a Muslim and south the sacrificial lamp will vote, to them SW vote tribalism, North religion and Eastern states righteousness and party line.
https://punchng.com/vote-oyetola-because-hes-a-muslim-ganduje/?amp

Same Bucknor that her security aide shot n kill a civilian close to town planning in Ilupeju n she japa instead of coming to their aid as a deputy governor. How different is Bucknor interview different from that of Bode George.

Creamypie:
I wish y'all can see channels interview of bucknor akerele, tinubu ex deputy, una go get sense

The INEC deadline is July 15th.

Now, let the oppositions cry us blood

Tap0lane:
Death go plenty for Alaigbo over this news. Though I am a Christian but Tinubu de give me endless joy with his choice. My respect to the sensible igbos and Christian in the north I know without much explanation you know the reason why this difficult choice need to be.

Make no Igbo Ipob / PDP n Obi urchins quote me unless you want thunder to kill your entire household in addition to you unborn generation.

As in those who know them should be checking up on them regularly cos we don't want stories that touch

Recipe for disaster. Tinubu will fail!

beerfraud:



https://punchng.com/muslim-muslim-ticket-tinubu-ignores-critics-submits-inec-form/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1657935479

tinubu is not a southern President

ExplorerReturns:
Recipe for disaster. Tinubu will fail!

you should be happy since you believed that he will fail instead of wailing all over Nairaland

Tinubu is more than likely to lose the election, from all reasonable indications. At a distant third. You heard it here first!!!

He has now further divided his South Western Votes which he was certain to get the major chunk of. YES he is still winning his region but not with an overwhelming majority, more like 65%., Once Christian Churches and Clerics starts compelling their Congregation to Vote against him, a good amount of his own people will fall back, same as APC northern Christians.

Meanwhile the Muslim votes in the NW is split between him and the other 3 major Muslim contestants. North East is Behind Atiku, North Central is split in different Parts for the 4 candidates. While SE and SS are aggressively behind Obi.

Tinubu should have chosen a strong Christian like Dogara as vice and made sure strong muslims like Buhari, Ganduje and El Rufai, campaign aggressively for him. Oga Tinubu Sir, You made and doubled down on a Bad move!

Thank you Tinubu for not listening to the detractors. They were about to make you correct the gaffe and improve your chances of winning the elections. Now that you have submitted the form, it is the turn of Nigerians to teach you a bitter lesson at the polls.

To him north does not vote for anyone that is not a Muslim and south the sacrificial lamp will vote, to them SW vote tribalism, North religion and Eastern states righteousness and party line.
https://punchng.com/vote-oyetola-because-hes-a-muslim-ganduje/?amp
who are the sophisticated morons?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl2dO2NZZJ4

The kain failure Tinubu go recieve eeh, e go shock am Buhari shocking experience since he became president

You won't even hear any noise from the north except for few inconsequential politicians like Babachir Lawan and other feather weight politicians, leaving APC because of Muslim/Muslim ticket. Let the south east urchins continue to rant, it won't change anything. They are here just to divide Atiku votes in the south. North is already settled for Tinubu. As for south west, let me just say the rest is the case. Even if Adeleke win today in osun, it won't still change anything cos no sensible South west will leave his brother and vote Fulani again.

Lobatan.

ignis:
That's a loss for him

Like you wanted him to win before

He had to heed the bidding of his masters at the detriment of several disgruntled Nigerians.

Ijiji na enwghi onye ndumodu na eso ozu ana

It's not enough that they have made a mockery of Awolowo's legacy, they still allowed Portable to use his yansh to suffocate him in the afterlife.

He will lose.

My people, if you are serious about your lives, don't just wait for the election to vote for Obi orany candidate of your choice.

the party and work for the person from there. They need help from there. Many things are decided at the party levels.

Take back naija from charlatans.

Although I am Apolitical, Nigeria is a secular state and it's need balance, or else agitations based on tribe, religion will always pop up, and we haven't gotten to that stage where we have to look beyond these sentiments and focus on track records, competency, knowledge, recommendations, it's so annoying.
Video editors tutorial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLDtdFAl6H0

He failed already

Thank God There Is a Peter Obi As An Alternative And Best Option

beerfraud:
Good riddance to bad rubbish
Any Okoro that want to die should die peaceful

na okoro be your nightmare.. Mwr enjoy how we cause you nightmare

Igbo told then the truth 8yrs ago

APC Christians called them wailers
The yoruba Christians s said they are sophisticated
They called igbo small dot and nobody spoke up


Now they have bluffed Christians in Nigeria, igbo, yoruba, Hausa and Niger Delta Christians and let see who will speak up

Always stand for the truth irrespective of the tribe... This is a lesson to you all Nigerians... Una think


Yet it I igbo that Is still still speaking up...

We are not only having Muslim to contest after 8yrs Muslim rule we are having Muslim Muslim ticket


Vote Obi for justice, equity and progress

Tinubu is a moving train you either get in or get crush.

All the hypocrite acting as if they care, will you have voted Tinubu if he had presented a pope?

Osibanjo is a Christian, did you guys vote for him, didn't you chose Atiku a fulani man and Muslim over him? Useless people.

Tinubu/Shettima 2023, those not comfortable should vote their obituary candidate or hang themselves.

Radarada.

helinues:
The INEC deadline is July 15th.

Now, let the oppositions cry us blood

Sheybi you are buying fuel, gas and diesel dor #100/l

Winning ticket 100%

The number one objective of any politician is to win elections not to satisfy delusional reta@ded religious fanatical fools.
If you don't like Tinubu's, pls go and vote for someone else. It's not by force.
We are voting for Tinubu and Shettima.
Bola Hamed Tinubu is the next president of the federal Republic of Nigeria.

Tap0lane:
Death go plenty for Alaigbo over this news. Though I am a Christian but Tinubu de give me endless joy with his choice. My respect to the sensible igbos and Christian in the north I know without much explanation you know the reason why this difficult choice need to be.

Make no Igbo Ipob / PDP n Obi urchins quote me unless you want thunder to kill your entire household in addition to you unborn
generation.

Poor mentality na ur main problem
Bigot

That's a loss for him