Tinubu, Shettima And The Spirit Of June 12 -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

At last, the presidential candidate of APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has settled for senator Kashim Shettima, former governor of Borno state as his running mate. This followed the resignation of Ibrahim Masari who was first selected as running mate “place holder”. The decision of Tinubu to pick Kashim Shettima was borne out of his qualities and leadership style when he governed Borno state. The nomination of Shettima was greeted with mixed reactions from nigerians. Some political pundits have assumed that, Tinubu will select his running mate from North-West. That was why, the names of Elrufai and Ganduje were repeatedly mentioned as possible running mate. There were others who waited to see the emergency of Christian running mate. Alas, with the selection of Shettima, the much speculations about who will be the running mate have been put to rest. However, beyond his leadership qualities, the choice of Shettima is strategically iniated and drafted to check mate Atiku’s popularity in the North-east. Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of PDP hails from Adamawa state(north east). By picking Kashim Shettima, the political battle ground will now be shifted to North-West. No one can deny the facts, Bola Tinubu controls the politics of South-West. He has the brighter chance to win those states.

In the south-east, barring any last minutes permutations, the votes will go to Peter Obi of labour party (LP). The South-South is a strong hold of PDP. With the vice presidential position zoned to the Area, PDP will comfortable win those states. The north central’s votes will be splitted among the three dominant political parties namely: APC PDP and LP. Nowithstanding,one should not rule out that some Christians from north-central, in protest against APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, may vote either PDP or Labour party. Also any party between PDP and APC that form strong alliance with labour party can coast to victory with relative ease. Despite my emperical analysis on the strength and weakness of these political parties ahead of 2023 general elections, in politics, nothing is impossible as anything can change within the twinkle of eyes. But, the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket has continued to receive barrage of criticisms from the Christians communities. While voters are at liberty to choose from multiple candidates, religious politics will unarguably shape the 2023 elections.

Some nigerians have expressed contrary opinions or views on why Bola Ahmed Tinubu picked Kashim Shettima, another Kanuri as his running mate. They see the actions as an efforts to light the candles of june 12. In 1993, the military administration of general Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, organised an election which late Moshood Abiola and his running mate,Babagana Kingibe won. For reasons best known to the military government, the election was annuled. The election was acclaimed to be the most free and fair ever conducted in the history of Nigeria, with both the winner and his vice shared the same faith. Abiola and Kingibe were both Muslim. Although, they belong to the same religion, nigerians did not care about, instead trooped enmasse to vote for SDP. If the election was not annuled, the issues of religion politics will not have a place in our democracy or since became an old passion in our secular country. The arrangements would have afforded the country the opportunity to have the Christian/Christian or Muslim/ Muslim leaders without furore and fuss.

The million naira question begging for answer remains: is Tinubu’s Muslim/Muslim ticket an attempts to right the wrong of June 12 or a grand ploy by APC to use religion in other to remain in power beyond 2023? Looking at the sensitivity of religious, flying the same faith ticket in present Nigeria will pose great danger or affect the fragile peace, unity and cooperate existence of the country. Our political elites should educate nigerians more on why the sudden deviation from the old norms and how the new system will address insecurity, poverty and economy uncertainty.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state. 08169056963.