Tinubu Group Says Nothing Wrong with Muslim-Muslim Presidential Ticket in 2023
There is nothing wrong with fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria, the Tinubu Support Group has said.
The director-general of the group, Abdulmumin Jibrin, said a Muslim-Muslim ticket does not matter if Tinubu becomes the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections, adding that Nigerians are more interested in the quality of persons to occupy public offices.
He stated this on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television on Monday.
Jibrin noted that there are thousands of Tinubu support groups across the country, adding that the TSG that he is leading is to coordinate and supervise the other groups.
He confirmed that Tinubu would be running for Nigeria’s presidency in 2023.
“Yes, he is running. Absolutely, he is running for office… for the Presidency in 2023. Take it to the bank, he 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. But the issue of Bola Tinubu contesting is a done deal. He is going to contest the election, I can assure you that.”
Responding to a question of the ethno-religious configuration should Tinubu, a Muslim, emerge as the candidate of the APC, Jibrin 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.
“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.”
He said Tinubu is detribalised and not a religious fanatic. He added that the APC chieftain would “make the right decision” when choosing his running mate.
He cited the example of how David Mark and Ike Ekweremadu were opposed by lawmakers for being Christians when they were to become the President and Deputy President of the Senate, respectively, in the 6th and 7th Assembly. According to him, they not only won their elections in the chamber but also supervised the most stable Senate since 1999 under their leadership.
He added that the current Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, who are both Muslims.
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