Clark Condemns Choice Of Shettima As Tinubu's Running Mate

Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has condemned the selection of Senator Kassim Shettima as the running mate to Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Clark who is the Convener, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) condemned the action of the former Lagos State Governor for appointing a Muslim to run with him in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Nigeria.

In a statement on Monday, the elder statesman lamented that with a sharp division presently in the country, Tinubu’s action and that of the APC would further worsen the situation in the country.

The statement reads: “I feel threatened for our beloved country because of the way things are going.

"Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, with Christianity and Islam as the major religions, even though Nigeria is a secular state.

“In compliance with Constitutional provisions of inclusiveness, the number one and number two positions in the country, viz, President and Vice President, have always been occupied by practitioners of the two major religions, to ensure balancing.

“It will be recalled that the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu, could not be chosen in 2015 as Vice President to Muhammadu Buhari, because he is a Muslim and Muhammadu Buhari is a Muslim.

"Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu, in his own words, confirmed this in his statement in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

"What has changed? One quality of a good leader is consistency.

"A good leader must act in the same way at all times, to all people. He must not display double standard.

“Today, what has the Presidential candidate of the APC, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu done?

"He has picked a person of his religion, a Muslim, as his running-mate.

"Such a choice is not inclusive, it is not good for a secular state like Nigeria.

“There is presently a sharp division in the country, even on religious lines, and all patriots are seeking ways to salvage the situation.

"Therefore, Alhaji Tinubu’s decision to take a fellow Muslim as his running mate will further worsen the situation in the country.

"He should know that patriotism is a quality of a good leader.

“On the reasons adduced by Alhaji Tinubu on why he chose Kashim Shettima as running-mate, is the APC Presidential Flag bearer telling Nigerians that there are no Christians in the APC from the north who are “competent, capable and reliable?

“There are rumours of an attempt to Islamise the country.

"Are all these pointers to the confirmation and actualisation of such rumours?

“One needs to bear in mind the antecedents of the major backers of Alhaji Ahmed Tinubu’s ambition, which include Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Governor of Kano State, and the chosen one – Kashim Shettima.

“Both the Governor and Deputy Governor in Kaduna State, are Muslims. A blatant action by the Governor, Nasir el-Rufai.

"Unfortunately, the APC gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 election is following suit.

"Is there a deliberate move of making Kaduna an Islamic state?"