2023: Lukman Speaks On Muslim-Muslim Presidential Ticket

The National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Salihu Lukman, has backed the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

Naija News reports the APC Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, had on Sunday announced former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima as his substantive running mate.

The announcement had since received a barrage of criticisms from concerned Nigerians, religious leaders, opposition parties and groups.

The criticisms were followed up by a gale of defection by stalwarts of the APC, who kicked against the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

However, in a chat with The Punch, Lukman said there was nothing wrong with a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

The APC chieftain said that the situation was being blown out of proportion, especially by the opposition and critics of the party.

He stated that Nigerians will soon be convinced that the Muslim-Muslim ticket was not to discriminate against any religion or any party candidate.

“My position has always been that politics is all about contest and managing interests. Certainly, the party leadership will have to consider all the factors before arriving at a decision.

“In the end, we have to convince Nigerians that Muslim-Muslim ticket or however you look at it, does not mean discrimination against any party candidate,” he said.

Speaking further, Lukman warned the party against making any costly mistake that could give the opposition an edge in the build-up to the 2023 general elections.

He stressed that the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party and New Nigeria Peoples Party are waiting for the APC to mismanage its campaign process.

He said, “We need to begin to work for victory of the party in the North-West zone. We have made it very clear. The difference between APC in 2015 and Kwankwaso in 2023 is that APC was grounded in the minds of people.

“You can see for yourself that in the case of other parties, including PDP and NNPP, they are hoping and waiting for us to mismanage ourselves on the basis of who we use and whatever we are not able to achieve.

“The reality is that we are not taking anything for granted. We are not dismissing people. We are going to work hard and that is why we consult among guys who are trying to organize.”