Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has met with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over the controversy that arose from the party’s choice of a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 general elections, It was gathered.
A credible source in the Christian body who was privy to the meeting and confirmed the development to our correspondent on Sunday said the meeting between the Christian leaders was deliberately “kept away from the media”.
According to him, the meeting took place few days before Tinubu’s trip to London where he met with Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike. Tinubu, a Muslim from South-West had picked former Borno State governor, Senator Kashim Shettima, another Muslim, as his running mate.
This, however, generated controversies with several interests kicking against it. While justifying his action in picking Shettima, Tinubu said he prioritised national growth and development above religious sentiments.
Tinubu said Shettima’s career in politics and beyond shows that “he is eminently qualified not only to deliver that all-important electoral victory”.
The APC presidential candidate recalled that in 1993, Nigerians embraced Chief MKO Abiola and a fellow Muslim running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe, in “one of our fairest elections ever held”.
