Shettima is reliable, competent, able – Tinubu

All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said he chose former Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, as running mate because he is reliable.

Tinubu announced his choice to journalists in Daura, Katsina State, after paying sallah visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said he had not discussed his decision with Shettima but had disclosed it to the president.

Asked why the choice of Shettima as running mate, Tinubu said: “Because he is competent, capable and able.”

The former Lagos State governor, who said he was running for presidency to fulfil a lifelong ambition, later, on Sunday, issued an official statement announcing Shettima, a serving senator, as the vice presidential candidate of APC.

The statement read in part: “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.

READ: Tinubu dares Nigerians, settles for Muslim-Muslim ticket with Shettima

“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. We must recalibrate our political calculations to where competence and fairness matter more than reductive demographics.

“This is why, today, I announce the selection of Senator Kashim Shettima as my partner and running mate in the mission to advance and reclaim the fortunes of this great country and the hopes of its people.

“Senator Kashim Shettima’s career in politics and beyond shows that he is eminently qualified not only to deliver that all important electoral victory, but, also, step into the shoes of the Vice President. As a man with the talent, maturity, strength of character, and patriotism he has my implicit confidence and faith.

“I am aware that many will continue focus on a particular detail, the question of his faith.

“However, if we truly understand the challenges upon us as a nation, then we must also see the imperative of placing competence in governance above religious sentiment.

“In 1993, Nigerians embraced Chief MKO Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe, in one of our fairest elections ever held.

“The spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023.”