The All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and his counterpart in the Peoples Democratic Party, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday began the search for their running mates.

The spokesman for the Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said the APC presidential candidate would meet the APC governors whom he said would pick the former Lagos State governor’s running mate.

It was also gathered that Tinubu would meet party leaders, including the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, before the end of the week.

As Tinubu began the search for his running mate, Atiku on Wednesday held a closed-door meeting with the PDP governors in Abuja with a view to picking the party’s vice presidential candidate.

At the APC presidential primary, which started on Tuesday and was rounded off on Wednesday, Tinubu garnered 1,271 votes to clinch the party’s presidential ticket.

The Chairman of the Convention Election Management Committee, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, at Eagle Square, Abuja announced that a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, got 316 votes; the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, 235 votes; a former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, one vote; Senator Rochas Okorocha and Pastor Tunde Bakare got zero vote each.

On Monday, northern governors had insisted on power shift to the South despite the national chairman’s endorsement of the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, from the North-East, as the party’s consensus candidate.


Tinubu, in his acceptance speech after his victory, said those who did not support him should not be afraid.

He further said, “Our teeming youth population is our nation’s greatest asset. We will create jobs for our youth from the Zamfara and Osun gold deposits to the vast agricultural lands across the country. We will create new opportunities in the Fintech sector, the creative and entertainment industries, digital skills and other areas.”

But there were strong indications on Wednesday that both Tinubu and Atiku had started searching for their running mates ahead of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s June 17 deadline for parties to submit their candidates’ lists.

Onanuga in an interview with The PUNCH, stated that Tinubu already had an arrangement with the APC governors that if he emerged the candidate of the party, the governors would decide the person to pick.

According to him, Tinubu prefers a collective responsibility than doing it on his own.

The spokesman stated, “The Vice-President can come from any region and religion. But the PGF is at liberty to pick. Up till now, we are all aware that Atiku has not chosen a VP. Yet he was elected before him. But in our own case, it is a party affair.

“The party leaders will look at the chances and decide how they will balance a Muslim from the South, maybe with somebody that comes from North- East, North-Central or from North-West. That is how it is done. I cannot circumvent the party. The Governor Atiku Bagudu-led PGF has the task to pick a competent deputy for him,” he said.


Asked when Tinubu might likely meet with the governors, Onanuga stressed that though a date had not been chosen, it would not take long.

“Already, he has a cordial relationship with virtually all of them. You will also have to understand that he has just picked the presidential ticket. I am also sure that this issue of picking the right candidate for VP will be in the minds of the party leadership and the APC governors too.

“At this moment, we just want to pause and take a rest from the stress of the just-concluded campaign.”

An aide of the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, who confided in The PUNCH said that the presidential candidate would meet with northern governors in Abuja before the weekend.

The aide said, “The issue of the vice-presidential candidate has been settled even before the presidential primary. From all indications, things are moving according to plans while the elders from the North-West had suggested one of the popular and loyal party members as his deputy.”

Ado-Doguwa

The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, said the running mate to presidential candidate of the APC might come from the North-East geopolitical zone.


According to Ado-Doguwa, this is based on the current zoning arrangement of the APC.

Speaking on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, few hours after the presidential primary of the APC on Wednesday, Ado-Doguwa said the vice-presidential candidate might come from the North-East while the leadership of the ruling party would deliberate on the religion factor.

When one of our correspondents contacted the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on the phones he neither picked the call nor responded to the SMS sent to him.

Meanwhile, Atiku and some APC governors have congratulated Tinubu on his emergence as the APC presidential candidate.

The Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in a statement, said the former Lagos State Governor “has the capacity to provide the needed leadership that would consolidate and continue to ensure the country’s democratic gains.”

On their part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, lauded Tinubu.

Gbajabiamila, in a statement by his spokesman, Lanre Lasisi, described Tinubu as his mentor and dogged democrat.

In a separate statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Puma, the deputy speaker described the primary that produced Tinubu as APC’s candidate as one of the most transparent in the country.

The APC governorship candidate in Benue State, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, in a statement by his media aide, Donald Kumun, said that Tinubu’s emergence followed through a democratic global best practice and expressed the confidence that Nigerians would vote massively for him.

The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, commended the President, Major General Buhari (retd.) for producing a good successor.

AbdulRazaq, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, described the emergence of Tinubu as truly deserving.

Adamu on Tinubu
The APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, said the ‘overwhelming’ votes received by Tinubu, showed that the APC had a nationalistic disposition.

Adamu’s view was contained in a statement issued by his media aide, Muhammed Lawal, in Abuja.

He stated, “I write on behalf of the entire membership of the All Progressives Congress to congratulate Your Excellency on the sterling victory that you recorded at the just concluded special national convention to emerge as the presidential candidate of our great party.

“Your victory has vindicated our party’s nationalistic outlook and patriotic posture as the party of choice for every Nigerian. I am pleased that the party spoke with one voice when the delegates voted overwhelmingly to nominate you as our presidential candidate.

“It is my sincere hope and prayer that our collaborative efforts between the party’s national secretariat and your presidential campaign team will proceed with the shared expectations of victory at the 2023 general elections, by the grace of God,” he said.

The Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, commended Buhari and other APC leaders for the smooth conduct of the primary.

Akeredolu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde, on Wednesday, stated, “The contest was a brotherly scramble. The aspirants, and leaders of our great party must now leverage on our political strength to build the party and reposition it for even greater victory.”

A former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, described the victory of Tinubu as well-deserved “considering Tinubu’s years of working for the entrenchment and strengthening of democracy in Nigeria.”

Wamakko, said, “With Tinubu’s victory, the APC stands a good chance of retaining power in 2023, considering his years of contributions to Nigeria’s development. His emergence is a victory for democracy and Nigerians as a whole.”

Meanwhile, the campaign team of the Senate President has said Lawan did not take the comments of the APC presidential candidate personally “as he must have spoken based on the euphoria of the moment.”

Tinubu had during his acceptance speech taken a swipe at Lawan for contesting against him, stating that the senate president could now lick his wounds.

Reacting, Lawan’s campaign manager, Iyke Ekeoma, said, “What has happened has happened and I am sure they know what to do amongst themselves in the party.

“The fact is that it is a party thing and Senator Lawan will work for the party and the Senate will work for the country. I don’t think they will take it personally.”

Atiku, on his Twitter handle said, “Congratulations, @officialABAT on your emergence as your party’s presidential candidate. It has been a hard-fought contest, but that you prevailed confirms your tenacity. -AA.”

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele, described the outcome the poll as well-deserved.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, in a statement by his Director, Communications and Media Strategy, Ima Niboro, expressed optimism that Tinubu would emerge victorious in next year’s presidential election.

Also, the Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, lauded the process that produced Tinubu.

Yahaya, through Ismaila Misilli, Director General, Press Affairs, Government House, stressed that his victory was a manifestation of Tinubu’s years of personal commitment, sacrifice, tenancy, political experience and service to the nation.

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who stepped down for Tinubu on Tuesday, said the victory was an indication of the former Lagos State governor’s dedication, competence and capacity to lead Nigeria.

The APC senatorial candidate for Delta Central Senatorial District, Chief Ede Dafinone, also hailed the emergence of Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the party.

Dafinone, in a signed press statement said, “Tinubu has the capacity to take Nigeria to the next level” if voted as the country’s President in the next political dispensation.

PDP governors

Meanwhile, the PDP governors have intensified moves on selection of a running mate for Atiku

The governors told journalists briefly after a closed-door meeting in Abuja that they were working to ensuring the emergence of the right running mate and how to secure back power.

Speaking to journalists after meeting, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, said, “We talked about cooperation and collaboration in prosecuting a very successful electioneering campaign that will result into victories for the PDP at various elections from the state Houses of Assembly, national election, Governorship and the Presidential election come February, 2023.”

A statement signed by the media aide to the governor, Muhammad Bello, said, without elaborating on the matter that the governor told news men, the meeting deliberated on the choice of who will be Atiku’s running mate.

A Professor in the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University, Ojo, Sylvester Akhaine, explained that ‘‘The situation is quite complex right now. The nation’s diversity must be respected. He must navigate ingeniously the speculation about a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Religion, ethnicity, class, and then alliance must be considered.’’

A lecturer at the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, Mr Olugbenga Agboola, said, ‘‘We must put the diversity of this nation into consideration. He will have to consider a northerner and select from the core north, the person must also be a Christian. I know he is a master strategist and will have done his homework well on this.’’

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/tinubu-to-meet-apc-govs-as-race-for-running-mate-begins/%3famp

Atiku=75 yrs
Tinubu=70 yrs
Buhari=79 yrs
Peter Obi=60 yrs

Are we not tired of old presidents?
Are we not tired of presidents that tour the world for treatment?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Obi
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bola_Tinubu
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atiku_Abubakar

Take your time and read up on those candidates, notice those with corruption allegations and those with clean records, awards, honours and sound minds.

Don't put Nigeria in trouble, stop tribalism and use your sense

No time to check time.

Tinubu Picking VP candidate from North is one of the tricky challenges ahead, Northerners might not want to vote for Christian northerner VP or Female VP irrespective of religion but not a thing to give sleepless nights.

Ghester:
Atiku=75 yrs
Tinubu=70 yrs
Buhari=79 yrs
Peter Obi=60 yrs

Are we not tired of old presidents?
Are we not tired of presidents that tour the world for treatment?

Please, lets use our senses

Would Atiku could have made the list had Obi still pairing with him in Pdp?

Tinubu should pick the governor of Plateau state. He is a Christian. But I know Fulani leaders don't like Plateau indigenes. They will rather prefer he picks an Igbo man instead. Well, Tinubu should be careful before he plays into the hands of his enemies.

RaptObserver:
Tinubu should pick the governor of Plateau state. He is a Christian. But I know Fulani leaders don't like Plateau indigenes. They will rather prefer he picks an Igbo man instead. Well, Tinubu should be careful before he plays into the hands of his enemies.

Tinubu needs to first calm down and avoid any vindicated message.

Then he needs to make wilder consultation in North before picking his VP cos with the look of things, Northern Muslim VP could be the only choice

Ok

helinues:


Would Atiku could have made the list had Obi still pairing with him in Pdp?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Obi
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bola_Tinubu
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atiku_Abubakar

Take your time and read up on those candidates, notice those with corruption allegations and those with clean records, awards and sound minds.

C'mon, Don't put Nigeria in trouble, stop tribalism and use your sense

helinues:


Tinubu needs to first calm down and avoid any vindicated message.

Then he needs to make wilder consultation in North before picking his VP cos with the look of things, Northern Muslim VP could be the only choice

No amount of calming down will save him if he doesn't pick a Christian. But then, if he picks a Muslim he has a better chance of winning Northern votes massively because his campaign agents will simply tell them up North that the president and vice are Muslims so their interests are protected. But then, if Atiku wins that is the end of one Nigeria because all the parties won't gamble with fielding a Southern candidate again in a presidential election. So southerners who still want to remain in this country must support Tinubu regardless of the religion of his VP. This is based on political expediency not sentiments.

It's buhari and his northern people that will pick the running mate.

Really, tinubu is the candidate.
Surprise.

Never say Never.

Tinubu is face with many traps. One wrong move about VP choice and he will lose everything

The next President, insha Allahu

Vote whoever you want to vote.

I'm voting 70years old man and it's non of your business

Ghester:
Atiku=75 yrs
Tinubu=70 yrs
Buhari=79 yrs
Peter Obi=60 yrs

Are we not tired of old presidents?
Are we not tired of presidents that tour the world for treatment?

Please, lets use our senses

hope isn't only running mate he's wovering after?
Just saying though, but you suppose know where I'm driving to.

Asiwaju trudging on despite opposition

Buhari, a known Muslim terrorist that was carelessly elected President, who shunned federal character and appointed mostly Muslims as head of all Nigerian security bodies, and they have been allowing Muslim terrorists to be killing Nigerians freely cannot be allowed to hand over to another Muslim and Christians will remain silent in the name of being enlightened or tolerant. It will be dangerous for all Nigerian Christians should another Muslim take over from Buhari to even talk of Muslim President with a Muslim VP, for what?!



Owo Ondo State terrorist attack at a Church should be an eye opener and a reminder to all Nigerian Christians of where the Muslims in Nigeria stand.




Christians wake up! They will tell you religion doesn't matter but they will never allow a Christian President to hand over to another Christian President and neither will they allow a Christian President and a Christian VP but if its Muslims they will start telling you that religion doesn't matter, why then does it bother them if its Christians?



Nigerian Christians una mumu suppose don do!



I know CAN and all the money loving Nigerian Church GOs will only tell Christians to pray for Nigeria as if their prayers about Nigeria has ever worked?



Muslims will carry knife and guns and kill Christians in Nigeria, Pastors will tell Christians to pray for peace. Are Nigerian Christians more Godly and religious than Jewish people of Israel where your religion started from? Let one Arab terrorist group kill just one Israeli and watch how Israeli Defense Force will go and massacre at least 1,000 Arabs the same day without resorting to prayer. That's the type of response Muslim Jihadists and their sponsors and supporters deserve and that's the only language they understand not cowardly calling for prayers as if your prayer can stop them from coming back to kill more? If your prayers are what is needed to stop terrorists, why then are the big Pastors and GOs moving around with heavily armed security and bodyguards ? Nigerian Christians make una wake up oh before its too late!



The Kingdom of God suffereth violence and it is the violent that taketh it by force.


You don't just pray terrorists away, you deal with them violently to send a strong message to them. The more you pray as they kill you, the more they see you as a weakling they can kill at will and will continue to kill you.




Buhari should and must hand over to a Christian President. I don't care how they want to do it, they should forget about Muslim President in 2023 because that will be looking for trouble in Nigeria.



Nigerian Christians wake up! Stop being cowards in the name of being tolerant! Nigerian Christians stop being foolish in the name of trying to be civilized. Don't keep silent until these wicked people delete you and your family from this world, don't think it doesn't concern you because you live in Ikoyi Lagos or Asokoro Abuja or Dline Portharcourt or Independence Layout Enugu or Direct Labour Asaba or Iwo Road Ibadan and feel you are safe from their Jihadist terrorism, wake up Christians!

He has no sufficient dollar to spend, simple. He paid mere $5,000 to each delegate and served icecream, whilst Tinubu paid $25,000 each.

Dont underestimate YAKUBU DOGARA.
He is from NORTH and also a CHRISTIAN, the last time i check them even give am post for church, his wife and children are christians.
His chances are very thick..
.
Tinubu doesnt have a choice than to run on muslim/christianticket. He is too strategic than to fall in a trap..
Journey of 12years no be akara

And so it begins
Osapa London promax

That's the next hurdle, a running mate. And he has to get it right

Do you think this people are playing?

They are not joking!

So, they will shock you.

If we need to take Nigeria back it must be collective bargaining and it will be nationalistic in nature.

Only southern part can not do it alone.

Whitemoney is the best choice

Another tough one.If Tinubu chose a VP that is not welcomed by the Northern Muslim;they will vote massively for Atiku irrespective of who he chose as VP.

Tinubu/ Ganduje is the winning combination

Work has started in earnest. Politics is not played on the alter of Hatred, emotions, bitterness and campaign of calumny. It is about teamwork, negotiations, building bridges and so on. My people should learn. The best bet for an ibo man to be president will come through alliance with the west not through an hausa/fulani, who will never give power to the east.

Hmm.... will the core Northern feel represented by a VP who is a Northerner but Christian?

Tinubu will never smell that seat.

shuttox:



https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/tinubu-to-meet-apc-govs-as-race-for-running-mate-begins/%3famp

What time is the meeting, because nobody informed me of it ooh, looks like my fellow governors don't want me to become the vice president.. I go shock them... "E MI LOKAN"

Ok

Tv