Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, says the controversy over the choice of a Muslim running mate by the APC presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, is unnecessary.
Oshiomhole said the country had got to a situation where Nigerians should do away with primordial sentiments such as religion and ethnicity, and rather focus on competence and courage of candidates to salvage the country.
The former Edo State governor stated this on a TVC programme on Thursday.
He expressed satisfaction with the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket, commending Tinubu for making that decision.
On Sunday, the APC presidential flagbearer had announced former Borno State governor, Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Oshiomhole said, “The more opposition party joined the Muslim-Muslim debate, the more I’m satisfied that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s decision is right.
“We need courage. We have struggled to balance this religious issues in recent years. Tinubu’s decision shows that he will take bold steps when elected.
“If the number of churches and mosques we have built over the years is equal to number of factories, we won’t be at this poverty level in the country.”
He said he’s also satisfied with Shettima’s choice due to his capacity and some of his achievements.
He said, “We can’t continue with business as usual. I’m satisfied with the quality of Shettima. He is well-read and well-exposed. He is well awarded both home and abroad.
“We should spend time interrogating the personality, competence of Tinubu’s nominee. Soon, pagans will organise themselves to say otherwise too.”
The former APC national chairman further described the Tinubu/Shettima ticket as a “balanced ticket” for the party, noting that Tinubu’s track record and Shettima’s impressive qualities would translate to defeat for the opposition party.
“It is a balanced ticket; balanced ticket in terms of competence, and their antecedents. The opposition party are threatened by this bold decision because they are sensing defeat.”
He dismissed the concerns over “islamization agenda” with the Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying that the APC presidential flagbearer couldn’t even islamise his own family.
Oshiomhole said, “What are the fears of people making this comment? They are saying there are plans to islamise Nigerians. The candidate himself (Tinubu), has he islamised his own family members? His wife is a Christian and a pastor.
“Our presidential candidate is a happily married man. He has demonstrated religious tolerance by the fact that his own wife is practising her own faith. How can a man who allowed freedom of worship in his home Islamise the country?”
The former Edo State governor also spoke on the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, adding that such issues should have dominated the political commentary in the country.
He added, “Despite a Muslim president and a Christian vice president, it hasn’t translated to anything.
“And right now, I think what should feature most in our political commentary is: what is the problem between ASUU and the Federal Government? Even as a former Labour leader, I am not sure I know all the details.
“I can imagine the pains parents are going through. So, we don’t discuss these issues and we are discussing religion.
“Okay, as we speak, we have a balanced ticket (Muslim-Christian), where has it translated to?”