Choice Of Running Mate: Don’t Succumb To Religious Or Regional Blackmail- Kwapnoe Tells Tinubu

Yakubu Busari

A Former Commissioner in Plateau State, and National Coordinator to the Former Member House Members BATVANGUARD Hon. Alex Kwapnoe has advised the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to succumb to religious, regional or ethnic blackmail in choosing his running mate.

Hon. Kwapnoe who gave the counsel in a press statement on Saturday said the APC presidential candidate should focus more on merit and track record than be goaded into choosing a running mate on regional or religious basis.

The former member of the Plateau State House of Assembly and State Coordinator for Buhari’s campaign, said what Nigeria needs now are capable hands that will unite citizens, improve on the economy and tackle the challenges of insecurity across the country.

He said those clamouring to be paired with Tinubu on the basis that they will balance the ticket due to religious or regional differences are saying so because they have nothing to offer.

“No one who has something to offer would suggest that the APC presidential candidate should pick him because of the religion or region he comes from. This is dragging us back.”

He said when Tinubu offered himself to fly the flag of the APC, he did so based on his belief that Nigeria needs to be experienced and capable hands to stir the ship of this country to greatness and not because he wanted to pander to base sentiments.

Hon. Kwapnoe emphasized that the APC candidate with all his experience and ideas cannot be able to put them to action if he does not make the necessary combination that will enable him to win the presidency.

He advised Tinubu to focus more on a running mate that has appeal among a wider range of the electorate for him to win the presidency in 2023.

“Once the APC presidential candidate is convinced that a certain individual can help him win the presidency based on merit and track record, he should pair with him and not succumb to the blackmail of ethno religious balancing which is neither here nor there,” he added.