The All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, explained why he settled for former Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, as his running mate.
He spoke on his choice when he met the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said though his choice of Shettima had generated lots of controversies, he settled for the best available choice at his disposal without recourse to religious sentiments.
“I did not choose Shettima so that we could form a same-faith ticket. The ticket was constructed as a same progressive and people-based ideology ticket.
“I selected Sen. Shettima thinking more about who would best help me govern, picking a Christian running mate would have been politically easier.
“But the easy way is rarely the right one, the selection of a running mate is at once a very momentous yet very intimate decision.
“Resting such a key decision on religious affiliation as the primary weight did not sit well with me. I am not saying there were no good and adequate potential running mates of the Christian faith,” Tinubu said.
He added that Shettima’s faith was immaterial, saying that he is a brilliant man with superior intellectual capacity.
He further said that Shettima is studious and detailed oriented and enjoys excellent organisation skills and fully understands the vital difference between governance and politics.
“This exceptionally gifted human being has the humility of spirit, the courage of his convictions and a strongly progressive worldview in harmony.
“I trust the calibre of the man. I know the great lengths he went to in fighting Boko Haram in his state. He did his best to protect the Christian community and rebuilt damaged churches.
“This man understands the value of our national diversity in all of its ramifications, including religious, he possesses the courage to stand up to those who would wreck that diversity and freedom,” Tinubu explained.
