Zulum: Tinubu made wisest choice picking Shettima as running mate

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has described the selection of Senator Kashim Shettima as the All Progressives Congress vice-presidential candidate as the wisest choice made by the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Zulum, who expressed joy over the selection of Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate for the 2023 presidential election, said it has been “my greatest wish that HE Kashim Shettima gets this elevation that he so much deserves as one of Nigeria’s highly patriotic leaders.”

The governor made this known via a statement he personally issued, a copy of which was made available to The Star on Sunday.

He stated: “For me, and I am sure for many leaders and members of the APC, Tinubu’s choice of HE Kashim Shettima is the wisest choice at this point in time.

“Shettima’s choice is very personal to me and together with our leaders and all stakeholders and members of the APC, we shall campaign vigorously, work day and night, to collectively secure overwhelming victory for the APC in 2023, insha’Allah.

“Without the slightest doubt, HE Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has chosen a leader who has very deep understanding of our country and its complexities. There is hardly any tribe in any of Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT that Senator Kashim Shettima cannot knowledgeably speak about. He knows the social, cultural, religious, economic and political structure of virtually all the 36 States and the FCT.

“Shettima is extremely patriotic. He believes so much in the unity of this country and he has proved it on a number of occasions.

“Shettima’s administration (in which I am honoured to have served as rector and as commissioner) truly reflected the Nigerian configuration.

“Above everything else, Tinubu has chosen for Nigeria, an incoming Vice President, insha’Allah, with very deep knowledge not only of the Nigerian economy (challenges and prospects) but also of the world.

“As far back as 2012, Shettima had on many occasions predicted the likelihood of fall in revenue from oil just as he predicted potential fall in the value of naira to dollar, which was why he imported agricultural products worth over N30 billion which today are worth far more, making Borno one of the richest in agricultural machinery.

READ ALSO: Tinubu: Why I picked Shettima as my running mate

“I have more to say on this unique leader but I will reserve them for campaigns,” Governor Zulum said.

The governor further thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for “his political leadership” over the years and for supporting Shettima’s choice as the APC’s vice-presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 general election.

He equally thanked the members of the APC National Working Committee, all elders, and stakeholders of the party.

“We are grateful to all governors of the APC under the sound leadership of my elder brother, His Excellency, Senator Atiku Bagudu.

“We are grateful to all APC stakeholders in the Northeast for supporting this wise choice.

“We are grateful to all stakeholders and members of the APC in Borno State for their ceaseless support.

“We are grateful to the good people of Borno State for their undivided support and prayers.

“May Allah lead the APC to a third round of groundbreaking victories in 2023, and may that victory serve the best interest of Nigerians in terms of security, massive economic recovery, endless growth, and overall development,” Governor Zulum stated.

The Star