Tinubu finally unveils Kashim Shettima as running mate

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has unveiled Senator Kashim Shettima, a former governor of Borno State, as his running mate for the 2023 general election.

Tinubu made this known in an interactive session with reporters during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State on Sunday.

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A NAN source had earlier hinted that Tinubu had chosen Shettima and the Vice-Presidential candidate would be announced this week.

“The vice-presidential nominee may most likely be a former governor and senator from the Northeast part of Nigeria. The person is also by accident of birth a Muslim, confirming what Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State said on Saturday that Tinubu had settled for a Muslim-Muslim ticket,’’ the source had said.

Tinubu told reporters that Shettima had the qualities he wants in a running mate.

“I chose him because he is competent, capable and reliable. The one we put in as placement has withdrawn today. There has been an announcement to replace him fully with a substantive candidate, Kashim Shettima.”

On his party’s chances in next year’s presidential elections, the former Lagos State governor said, “We are going to win Insha Allah. Because we are a progressive party. We have the focus on the Nigerian problems and we face the challenge squarely and we’re not running away from it. We have a better programme for the people and about the people and we are ready to serve.

“Within a short period, there’s been a strong foundation on infrastructure. We faced a challenge of terrorism we know that. It’s only a poor thinker and observer who will not recognize the challenge. But once you recognize the challenge, you can prepare yourself very well to tackle it and defeat it. And that is what our party is all about.”

Shettima, a staunch supporter of Tinubu, played a key role in his emergence as Presidential Candidate of the ruling party.

He toured many states with Tinubu since December 2021 where he addressed party delegates and mobilised support for the former Governor of Lagos State.

Born on September 2, 1966, to the family of Sir Kashim Ibrahim, he is married to Nana Shettima, and they have three children: two females and a male.