The leadership of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC , considering Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and others as running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The option of Lalong and Mustapha, who are prominent northern Christians are parts of effort to avoid a Muslim-Muslim ticket,
According to PUNCH, a chieftain of the APC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Nigerians were justified to express reservations about a Muslim-Muslim ticket. He, however, cautioned that people should be more concerned about competence rather than religious affiliations.
He said northern governors were working with the party’s National Working Committee to consider a list of options at their disposal, adding, “There is no cause for alarm. We anticipated that things could head this way, but the party is considering some candidates to neutralise the threat of an Atiku presidency.
“The party and the governors are mulling the option of Lalong; Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu; and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.”
He added that El-Rufai; Kano State Governor, Abdulahi Ganduje; and Mallam Kashim Ibrahim-Imam were also being considered.
KEMI FILANI NEWS had reported that spokesman for the Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Bayo Onanuga, however, told journalists that the APC presidential candidate already had an arrangement with the Progressives Governors’ Forum to decide his running mate if he emerged as the candidate.
“The vice-president can come from any region and religion, but the PGF is at liberty to pick. The party will look at the chances and decide how it will balance a Muslim from the South, maybe with somebody that comes from the North-East, North-Central or the North-West. That is how it is done. I cannot circumvent the party. The Bagudu-led PGF has the task to pick a competent deputy for him,” Onanuga stated.
