2023: APC Chieftain Reveals What Will Determine Tinubu’s Running Mate

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Farouq Aliyu, has disclosed that competence will determine who emerges as the substantive running mate to the party’s Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

The former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives stated this on Sunday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Naija News recalls that Tinubu had emerged as the APC flagbearer for the 2023 presidential election, defeating the likes of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, amongst others.

Following the emergence, the APC candidate named Kabiru Masari as the “placeholder” for the position of the vice-presidential candidate until a substantive name is submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, religious groups like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and some notable Nigerians have vowed to oppose any political party that fields a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Speaking on the controversial issue, Aliyu stated that the significant attribute that would determine the APC’s vice presidential candidate is competence and not religion.

He asserted that APC members would ensure that the party wins the 2023 presidential election if it comes up with a Muslim-Muslim card or Muslim-Christian ticket.

The former lawmaker disclosed that the ruling party and its presidential candidate are still consulting regarding who will become the running mate.

Aliyu said the candidate would be announced soon, and Nigerians would be convinced that the party had made the right choice.

He said: “By the time the name is out, everybody will believe and be convinced that we have made the right choice. So just give us a little time we are going to come out with it soon.

“It’s not difficult for our candidate to pick a running mate but it is just about the complexities of the country. You understand people talk about Muslim-Muslim, Muslim-Christian and so on, forgetting the fact that no matter the diversity of this country, you need to also win an election before you can start doing things.

“We are consulting: looking at Muslim-Muslim ticket and Muslim-Christian also. But to us, as a party, it is not about religion or who you are but what the people will get.

“So if our party comes up with a Muslim-Muslim card, then so be it and we are going to make sure we win the election. And if the candidate goes for a Christian, we are going to make sure we win the election. Because it is not about religion but competence.”