Spokesperson of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, has said that the former Lagos State governor and presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, has a pact with the party’s governors to nominate his running mate.
Onanuga disclosed this in an interview with Trust TV’s Daily Politics. He also claimed that research has shown that the problem of Nigerians has nothing to do with religion but security, economic prosperity, and employment among others which make up over 70 per cent of their needs.
According to Tinubu Campaign Organisation spokesperson, the issue of religion in politics is of less concern to an average Nigerian.
Onanuga said;
“When Tinubu met the progressives governors at their forum, he told them that ‘you are going to be the people who will pick my running mate.
“In 1993, MKO Abiola, a Muslim, picked [Baba Gana] Kingibe, a Muslim. There was some uproar at that time about a ‘Muslim-Muslim ticket’ but what happened in the election? The two candidates won the election clearly.
“There was a [Bashir] Tofa who picked a Christian from the south who couldn’t beat the Muslim-Muslim ticket.”
Also claiming that politicians are responsible for the division of Nigerians along religious lines, the spokesperson said Tinubu has a large heart to forgive even those who betrayed him and will bring together chieftains to work toward the common goal of the party’s victory.
He said;
“My principal is a person that is famously known to be very large-hearted, he can accommodate all shades of opinion.
“Even when there is a sharp disagreement with other political actors, he finds a way of mending fences with them.
“This is a game of politics, you are bound to disagree and it takes a man who has a very large heart who can accomodate all manners of views, all manners of behaviour to force a reconciliation and the matter ends there.”
Commenting on claims of Tinubu being too old to take on the challenges of Nigeria if he eventually wins the presidential election, Onunaga said;
“Atiku Abubakar, his major opponent, is older in age and Tinubu has also proven that contrary to what people think, he’s been able to move around the country to canvass for votes.
“The problem he has is that I think he did a kneel surgery and it needs physiotherapy for him to regain the normal use of his leg.
“Now that the primary has gone, I am sure he will go for a real physiotherapy.”
