By The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has shared his thoughts on the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to settle for a Muslim running mate.
On Sunday, Tinubu announced a former Borno State governor, Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2023 elections, a move that has since generated mixed reactions in the polity.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, Atiku said a society cannot progress if its politics is divisive, referring to the Muslim-Muslim ticket floated by the ruling party.
Urging Nigerians to shun “exclusionist politics’, the former Vice President noted that the country had witnessed the worst shade of exclusionist politics under the APC.
“Dear friend and compatriot, the journey that we have signed on to undertake together is not one that we can accomplish by threading the inglorious path of exclusionist politics. This journey, our campaign, is a rescue mission this nation and it is a mission that must involve all Nigerians,” he said.
“So, while our opponents might think that there is an easy road to victory in divisive politics, we must get the message across to them that Nigeria has seen the worst shade of exclusionist politics and the road ahead is the path of inclusive and unifying politics. That is what we stand for.”
Meanwhile, Tinubu had defended his selection of a Muslim running mate, arguing that the choice of Shettima was informed by the latter’s competence.
“But religion, ethnicity and region cannot always and fully determine our path. To forge ahead as a nation toward development and prosperity, we must break free of old binds,” he had said in a statement.
