Tinubu clears the air in his running mate saying he will pick a Christian from the northeast

FORMER Lagos State governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has responded to all the speculation about who will be his running mate in next year's elections by publicly declaring that he will pick a Christian from the northeast geo-political zone as his deputy.

Earlier this month, Asiwaju Tinubu emerged as the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate after coasting home in a landslide victory following the party's convention in Abuja. he has until the end of this week to pick his running mate and over the last few days, speculation has been rife about who he will select.

With time not on his side, Asiwaju Tinubu had asked the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), to go ahead and pick a running mate for him. In the run-up to the APC convention, the APC governors of northern extraction had asked that one of their members be selected as the party's running mate with the presidential ticket going to the south.

Asiwaju Tinubu, being a Muslim, had made it clear all along, that his running mate would be a Christian but over the last few days, however, rumour has surfaced that the APC might go for a Muslim/Muslim ticket. Responding to these rumours, Asiwaju Tinubu told journalists at the APC governorship rally in Ekiti State yesterday that he intends to pick a northern Christian as his running mate.

Condemning all the talk about a Muslim/Muslim ticket, Asiwaju Tinubu distanced himself from the rumours, stressing that the carriers were undemocratic elements that are already threatened at his imminent victory in the coming presidential election. He assured Nigerians that no group, institution or person can impose a running mate on him.

Asiwaju Tinubu said: “The vice president slot belongs to the northeastern region and particularly the Christians but consultations are yet ongoing as to who will be decided.”

Among the favourites said to be under consideration include the current secretary to the federal government Boss Mustapha from Adamawa State and the former speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara from Bauchi State.  Plateau State's Governor Simon Lalong was once thought to be a serious contender but he is from the north central geo-political zone.