By Ibekimi Oriamaja
Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has left many of his supporters and Nigerians waiting for the announcement of his running mate for the 2023 elections.
The APC candidate has remained silent on whether he will use the name Alhaji Kabiru Masari, which he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with many believing Masari’s name was submitted as a placeholder.
Nonetheless, despite the fact that Tinubu and the APC have until July 15 to make any substitution, Tinubu and Masari’s Muslim-Muslim religion has raised some concerns.
On Friday, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) may run a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election.
Ganduje claims that APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu was advised and agreed to choose a Muslim running mate.
Kano State Governor made the announcement while hosting about 100 Islamic clerics at the Kano State Government House as part of this year’s Eid El Kabir celebrations.
“We advised him to appoint a Muslim deputy, and he agreed,” Ganduje was quoted as saying.
Furthermore, some party delegates have petitioned the court to prevent Tinubu from changing his running mate’s name, which has already been submitted to INEC, fueling speculation that Tinubu will be forced to run alongside Alhaji Kabiru Masari.
Two All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains, Zakari Maigari and Zubainatu Mohammed, have filed a lawsuit against the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the selection of Bola Tinubu’s running mate.
Chieftains who were delegates in the recently concluded presidential primaries have asked the court to stop INEC from accepting a change in the APC’s vice-presidential candidate.
According to Naija News, the suit is labeled FHC/ABJ CS/1059/2022 and is dated July 4, 2022.
Tinubu’s media aide, Mr.Tunde Rahman, responded to rumors of a Muslim-Muslim ticket by saying, “Why don’t you wait for him (Tinubu) to announce his plans?” What happens if he votes for the Muslim-Christian ticket?
“He is a God-fearing Nigerian who will be fair to all; there is no cause for concern.”
Tinubu returned to Nigeria this weekend following a trip to France for strategic meetings concerning the 2023 elections.
