El-Rufai Not Against Tinubu, Shettima Ticket, Says Uba Sani

All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, and Senator representing Kaduna Central District, Malam Uba Sani, has debunked the rumoured cold war between Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over the appointment of Senator Kashim Shettima as running mate.

This was as he assured that El-rufai will deliver Kaduna for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket in the 2023 presidential elections, because “El Rufai reigns supreme” in the State. Senator Uba Sani gave the assurance at the official inauguration of the VP candidate Kashim Shettima as the Chairman, Arewa Women for Tinubu (AWT) organized by the support group.

Also, the APC National Vice Chairman, North West, Dr. Salihu Lukman has defended the presidential ticket of the ruling party dispelling the allegation of the plan by the party to exclude any religion or ethnic group ahead of the 2023 elections. Lukman made this clarification on Friday after a meeting of critical stakeholders of the party from the North-West zone in Abuja.

This is just as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase said that the sentiments currently being expressed about the choice of Senator Kashim Shettima as the Vice Presidential candidate to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was being expressed by those who want to gain cheap access to power and other things and cause confusion in the society. He spoke when he received the Asiwaju Pact With Citizens Campaign Organisation in his office.

According to Uba Sani, “I want to also deliver a goodwill message from my brother, Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai of Kaduna State. I want to also say here that Governor El-Rufai has total support for our brother, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima; we have worked together, we are brothers and we are friends,” he said.

The Senator recalled that when the news broke out that Shettima had been selected as Tinubu’s running mate, El-Rufai was the first to try to call and wish him well. Unfortunately, he said a lot of people, obviously ignorant of the cordiality between El-Rufai and Shettima spread false reports in the press. “I assure you, and stand to be quoted anywhere, anytime that Kaduna State would deliver the highest votes for the Tinubu presidency in 2023,” Senator Uba said. Thereafter, the Senator presented an award of honour from the Arewa Women for Tinubu to the APC vice-presidential candidate.

Speaking in the same vein, Luman said “The aspiration of presidential candidates of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima is not a faith project rather it is a Nigerian project.

“I think we need to be very honest to ourselves. People indeed have concerns and those concerns are not being dismissed. To the best of my knowledge, all party leaders have acknowledged the concern. When you make a decision, certainly some people would be at the receiving end of such a decision. Our party, APC, is not working to exclude any category, whether in terms of religion, ethnicity or any other group. We have decided to produce candidates and those candidates to the best of my knowledge and I think that is what came out at the unveiling yesterday (Wednesday).”

“We are about a Nigerian project. They are not a faith project. That is the emphasis and I think as a nation, we need to look much more positive. That I’m Salihu Lukman does not mean I am against a Festus or a Bankole.” The Zonal Chairman added that the party leaders from the North West have resolved to reconcile all aggrieved party members and leaders before the commencement of the campaign for the 2023 general elections.

Wase in his own submission said the APC presidential candidate was the candidate to beat in the 2023 presidential election, saying there is no candidate in other political parties that can boost of the political credentials and achievement of the former Lagos state governor. “Politics is about development, what you can do, what you can offer. It is not about sentiment. Sentiment doesn’t work. I think, we are on good cause.

“We have had a Christian-Christian Senate President and Deputy Senate President for eight good years in the National Assembly. So, some of these emotions and sentiments being expressed are done by those who want to gain cheap access to power and other things and cause confusion in the society. What we should be after is competency. Who can offer and give us the best.There is no doubt about the choice of Asiwaju. First, I want to say, power comes from God. He has demonstrated his capacity. He has given out his best.

“He has been in the political terrain for years. He has developed people. There is no segment of the society that you go that you won’t have one person or the other that he has helped out or touched. I believed that, he is the candidate to beat. I have not seen any candidate in any political party that can match his achievements. I’ve not seen. There are array of ministers and chief executives who were the students of his own school of thought and political alignments.

“Lai Mohammed is from Kwara. But he was Chief of Staff in Lagos. He came back to his state and nobody said, go back to Lagos. Aregbesola was a Commissioner, Yayi as a member from Ogun, many more, the Vice President. He has developed the society, he has developed people. But people began to bring sentiments of religion. I don’t know. I am from Plateau State. I know we have a very good Muslims percentage there. The person that is going to give us peace should be our own concern and not who will divide us. I think you people have a lot to do, so that we would be able to give out what we have. The product we have is the most excellent product in Nigeria and that cannot be disputed,” he said.