Osita Okechukwu, director-general, Voice of Nigeria (VON), has thrown his weight behind the decision of Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, to pick Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the 2023 election. The APC flagbearer and his running mate are both Muslims, representing the first Muslim-Muslim ticket of a major political party since the 1993 presidential election.
Since the announcement was made, there have been mixed reactions as some Nigerians have voiced their concerns, condemning Tinubu’s choice of a Muslim.
Reacting to the development on Sunday, July 10, Okechukwu described the duo as an “excellent ticket”, noting that they are both moderate Muslims
He stated: “On the choice of Distinguished Sen. Kashim Shettima as Vice Presidential Candidate; methinks it is an excellent joint ticket.” The VON DG noted that Shettima did well as the governor of Borno and also picked an excellent successor. He added that the former governor was a transparent man of action and capable of the job.
As for Okechukwu, Tinubu must have weighed his options before settling for a Muslim-Muslim ticket, The Nation reports. “On the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket, as a Christian one would have preferred Muslim-Christian ticket; however there was the likely input of northern governors.
The good news is that both are moderate Muslims, not ultra Muslims.”
