By Adeleye Kunle
President Muhammadu Buhari has explained why the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, announced former Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima as his running mate during a visit to him in Daura, Track News reports.
According to Track News, some APC governors were dissatisfied with Tinubu’s announcement of Shettima as his running mate during a Sallah homage to the President in Daura, Katsina State, on Sunday.
The governors were enraged that Tinubu made the announcement before they had finished discussing his running mate with him.
The disgruntled governors claimed that the APC Presidential candidate was unconcerned about their views, despite the fact that he would rely on them for mobilization.
The APC governors, like every other Nigerian, watched Tinubu’s announcement after he admitted he had not informed Shettima of his decision to pick him as running mate.
President Buhari defended Tinubu, saying the former Lagos governor had no choice but to announce Shettima as his running mate because his decision had already been leaked to the press.
According to a source at the meeting, the President told the disgruntled governors that Tinubu did not intend to violate the agreement they had with him.
According to the source, the President informed the governors that the APC Presidential candidate had informed him that he would meet with them for a proper briefing before the announcement.
Buhari stated that Tinubu was still with him when some sections of the media began reporting that he had settled for Shettima and that Tinubu needed to respond immediately.
According to the President, a leak from Tinubu’s camp compelled the APC candidate to take the initiative immediately and announce Shettima as his running mate while still in Daura.
According to the source, Buhari pleaded with the governors to accept Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate because he is a party loyalist.
The nine governors were led by the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Kebbi State’s Abubakar Bagudu, and the host governor, Katsina State’s Aminu Masari.
Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Bello (Niger), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Hope Uzodinma (lmo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Simon Lalong (Plateau), and Nasir El-Rufai were also present (Kaduna).
This article first appeared on Track News
