Tinubu meets CAN, promises inclusion
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Wednesday met with the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abuja, promising inclusion if elected president.
With Tinubu at the meeting were his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima; House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Governors Hope Uzodinnma (Imo), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq (Kwara), Deputy Senate Leader Senator Boroffice Ajayi, Senate Chief Whip Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Minister of Special Duties, Senator George Akume and many others.
CAN was led by its president, Daniel Okoh.
Tinubu’s media office in the statement issued to the press quoted him as telling the Christian leaders that he bore no bias in his choice of a Muslim running mate.
The presidential candidate also said, with his wife and children being Christians, his decision could not have been targeted at the faith.
“I know people have reacted harshly to my selection. They have done so without knowing the man or giving him or me a fair chance.
“The rumour that this is some plot to suppress the Christian community is untrue and unfortunate.
“I can no more suppress the Christians of this nation than I can suppress the Christians in my own household, my very family. You all know my wife is Christian and a pastor. My children are Christians. I can no more disown them and their choice of faith than I can disown myself. As a husband and father to Christian wife and children, hearing such allegations is hurtful,” he said.
He added that he chose Shettima based on his competence.
“I did not choose Senator Shettima so that we could form a same-faith ticket. The ticket was constructed as a same progressive and people- based ideology ticket.
“I selected Senator Shettima thinking more about who would best help me govern. Picking a Christian running mate would have been politically easier. But the easy way is rarely the right one.
“I am not saying there were not good and adequate potential running mates of the Christian faith,” he said.
