By James Orji
The Tinubu Support Group, TSG the umbrella body of groups championing the presidential bid of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu says the assumed presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC will go ahead with a Muslim/Muslim ticket no matter the feelings of Nigerians.
Tinubu, the National Leader of the APC and a Muslim has been rumoured to favour another Muslim from the North as his running mate for his presidential bid. Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state is said to be mostly favoured by some elements in the party to run a joint ticket with Tinubu, in the 2023 presidential election that the former Lagos helmsman has yet to make an official pronouncement.
Some Nigerians, groups including the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN has warned against a Muslim/ Muslim ticket citing the religious dichotomy of the country.
In spite of this, the Director-General of the Tinubu Support Group, Abdulmumin Jibrin, said Tinubu does not really care if his running mate in nest year’s election is of the same religion with him, a Muslim.
The former member of the House of Representatives said Nigerians would support candidates they believe can perform the presidential job.
The lawmaker from Kano and former chairman, Appropriation Committee of the House of Reps, spoke on Channels Television said Tinubu has made up his mind to take a shot at the presidency.
He said “take it to the bank” Tinubu is running. Absolutely. We have discussed with him extensively. So much is going on now behind the scene”.
“Sometimes, I even find it a bit funny when I see people saying ‘is he contesting or is he not contesting?’ The only thing that is left is just the formality of organising when he is going to express his aspiration, just to notify the public that, ‘Yes, I am going to contest.’
“But the issue of Bola Tinubu contesting is a done deal. He is going to contest the election, I can assure you that. Insha Allah, he is going to be on the ballot paper.”
On the vexed issue of Muslim/Muslim ticket, Jibrin said what should matter to Nigerians is how to elect a president that has the capacity to turn the country around, rather than laying emphasis on his religious affinity.
He said “I completely agree and understand that our country is sensitive when it comes to politics, the issue of ethnic and religious considerations. It is very serious. Nobody can sweep that under the carpet.
“But talking personally and weighing the mood of the country, I can assure you that if you give people a choice of someone who will come and improve on what we already have on ground, and revamp the economy and increase every aspect and every part of the country, people will just want to see progress. People just want to see development. For me, it doesn’t matter”.
He cited a time when David Mark and Ike Ekweremadu were President and Deputy Senate President.
“If you bring a Christian-Christian presidency or a Muslim-Muslim presidency, for me, personally, it doesn’t matter. Even within the party and my TSG, we have had this conversation,” Jibrin said.
