IBUKUNOLUWA KING-OKUNEYE
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has called Senator Kashim Shetima a worthy choice of a running mate for Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had on Sunday announced after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, that he would be running the 2023 election race with Shettima.
While speaking to newsmen after his closed-door meeting with the president, Tinubu said Shettima was selected because he is “competent, capable, reliable and able to be picked as a running mate”.
Reacting to this development, Keyamo stated that Tinubu made a great choice.
In a Twitter post, the minister described Shettima as a “Quintessential banker and economist, suave gentleman and politician,” who is intellectually fertile and economically sound.
He stressed that the former Borno governor is “intergenerationally mobile (he’s young, yet experienced), fiercely loyal, phenomenally complimentary to Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
“Kashim Shettima is the perfect choice as VP,” Keyamo declared.
After the announcement of Shettima as VP to Tinubu, Mr Ibrahim Masari, who initially was picked as vice presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) resigned.
In a communique on Sunday, Masari, a former National Welfare Secretary of the APC, stated that after much reflection and wider consultations, he is now going to step down.
“I realized that my decision will enable Asiwaju have more latitude to give more accommodation and inclusion that will position our party to win the coming elections, with the support of the people of Nigeria.
“In stepping down, I believe I can still serve our party and the country in several other capacities.
“I wish to confirm that I have submitted my withdrawal letter and affidavit to that effect as the Vice Presidential Candidate to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed TInubu in the coming elections,” Masari disclosed.
He also thanked Asiwaju Tinubu for the trust vested in him, and promised that he and his family will remain steadfast in their support for the APC presidential flagbearer and the party.
