Lawan, Omo-Agege and APC Northeast lawmakers hail Shettima's emergence as Tinubu's running mate

Senate Speaker Ahmad Lawan has described the choice of Kashim Shettima as the running mate of Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party as excellent.

Mr. Lawan, speaking on behalf of the CPA's Northeast Caucus, described Mr. Shettima as someone with "impeccable credentials", which he backed up by showing great skill, d integrity and courage in all the positions he held.

The former Borno State Governor is a loyal and committed member of the APC and has what it takes to be an excellent running mate, he said in a statement on Monday.

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PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Tinubu on Sunday in Daura, Katsina State announced that Mr Shettima, who is also a sitting senator, was his running mate.

The appointment of a fellow Muslim as running mate has drawn mixed reactions across the country.

Prior to the announcement, many Nigerians, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), warned all political parties not to have presidential tickets in which the candidate and running mate are of the same religion.< /p>

Mr. Tinubu, however, argued that "religion, ethnicity and region cannot always and fully determine our path".

He had said that his choice of Mr. Shettima did not mean that he was insensitive to the religious concerns of many people.

He added that he chose Kashim Shettima as his running mate because he believes he is the man who can help bring the best governance to all Nigerians.

Although Mr. Lawan challenged Mr. Tinubu for the party's presidential ticket, he now believes in and supports the candidacies of MM. Tinubu and Shettima.

In his statement, he (and the caucus) pledged to cooperate and fully support the candidates.

Similarly, Senate Vice President Ovie Omo-Agege praised Mr. Shettima describing him as detribalized and visionary, and a major asset to the APC presidential ticket.

Mr. Omo-Agege is currently the APC Governor candidate for Delta State.

His comment was contained in a statement from Ima Niboro, Director of Communications and Media Strategy for the Delta APC Governor's Campaign Organization.

While recalling how Mr. Shettima played a key role in his own emergence as Vice President of the Senate in 2019, he said the senator was a kind-hearted, forward-looking, inclusive leader perspective and devoid of any bigotry and hospitable towards other religions.

Different reactions continue to follow APC's choice of vice-presidential candidate.

While many describe it as unfair and dangerous to the nation, others believe it was done in the best interest.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, also hailed the choice of Mr. Shettima.

"I'm happy with the combination (Muslim-Muslim ticket). My only concern is the platform. Bola Tinubu is a strategist and a good man. I've sat with him countless times from 1992 to this day,” Mr. Kwankwaso said.

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