The APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, stated that the All Progressives Congress, APC Presidential ticket of Senator Bola Tinubu, and Senator Kashim Shettima bridge the fault lines of diversity that divides Nigeria.
He said this while presenting the party’s Vice-Presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, to the public at an unveiling event held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Meet our 2023 Vice Presidential Candidate, H.E. Senator Kashim Shettima @KashimSM pic.twitter.com/Pdz3i88qO8
— APC Nigeria (@OfficialAPCNg) July 20, 2022
Going back in history, Senator Adamu said the APC presidential ticket was like the 1993 presidential elections when Nigerians elected Moshood Abiola and his running mate, a fellow Muslim Baba Gana Kingibe as the president.
Senator Adamu, while stating that the choice of a running mate was the sole right of Mr. Tinubu, added that the APC Presidential flag-bearer’s choice of Senator Shettima was because he wanted a man of competence and character.
“In our political tradition, the choice of a running mate is the exclusive right of the presidential candidate. He exercises that right with due consultations with the stakeholders in the party.
“Jagaban, being an astute politician, could not have chosen a running mate without widely consulting the stakeholders in our party,
“In our national development, and given the myriads of our national challenges, we should look for men and women of character, competence, and verifiable evidence of their performance in public or private offices. We believe these informed Jagaban’s decision to select Senator Shettima because he fits the bill,” Adamu said.
Senator Adamu added that Senator Shettima brings excellent value to the ticket because of his antecedents of dealing with insecurity and his experience as Borno State Governor in the peak of Boko Haram terrorist attacks on the state.
“Senator Shettima was a two-term governor of Borno State before being elected into the senate of the federal republic. As governor, he did what one might rightly describe as titanic things. He showed his capacity as a focused leader when his state was virtually under siege by Boko Haram.
“When the bombs were exploding, and the bullets were flying, he bravely continued to provide for his people, building new primary and post-primary schools, health facilities, and housing projects. He never abandoned his people.
“He continued to serve them under virtually impossible conditions. Senator Kashim Shettima is not a stranger to the security challenges confronting our dear country, going by his personal and first-hand experiences with Boko Haram while they were at the peak of their operations in Borno State.
He has earned his right to a higher political office. He must now move up the ladder of our national service as the next vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Adamu explained.
He urged all party members to submit themselves to the will of God and the party and not do anything to sabotage APC’s presidential victory in 2023.
S.O
