Opinion: With 24 Hours To INEC Deadline, Will Tinubu Bow To Pressure & Pick A Muslim Running Mate?

If there is any politician who is currently under an intense pressure over the choice of running mate for the 2023 presidential election, it is no other person than the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

It is exactly one week the former governor of Lagos was announced the winner of the party’s primary election, yet, the choice of running mate remains a subject of hot debate within the party and on social media.

Last Monday June 13, the Independent National Electoral Commission gave all the political parties till Friday June 17 to submit the names of their presidential candidates and their running mates.

Failure to do so might automatically lead to their disqualification as the commission pointed out that it would not extend the date for any reason.

While it is easier for candidates like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Musa Kwankwaso and others to pick their suitable running mate, this is not the case with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu, a Muslim by religion and a southwest politician is heavily burdened with the complex and complicating decision of choosing either a Christian or Muslim running mate from the North.

Since his emergence as the party’s Flagbearer, the choice of his running mate has become a major source of headache not only for him but also the entire party members.

Lately, there was a rumour that he has settled for former governor in the north and his name has since been submitted to the party leaders for confirmation. This cannot be proven as there is no official statement to that effect yet.

Similarly, some Christian politicians belived to have been suitable for the position were said to have been rejected based on their capacity to deliver on election day. This rumour cannot also be verified.

In all, what is trending in Tinubu’s camp as well as APC presently is nothing but confusing and conflicting information on who will be Tinubu’s running mate.According to the 1999 constitution, a presidential candidate is solely empowered to pick his running mate without consulting or take permission from party members.

But Tinubu appears to be honoring the president and Northern governors by conceding the choice of his running mate to them. For him, it is a way of paying back their good deeds by conceding the party’s ticket to the southern presidential aspirant for the sake of justice and equity.

In 2014 when President Muhammadu Buhari emerged as APC presidential candidate, he gave Tinubu the single honour of nominating his running mate who must be a Christian from the Southern region. Hence, the emergence of Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

And this time, it is a pay back time for the president and the Northern governors but looking at the religion factor that is playing out, it appears the decision is now a case of the chicken that perches on the line. Both the chicken and the line are uncomfortable.

No doubt, this is a tough time for Tinubu and the APC Leaders especially in the North. Despite the array of heavyweight politicians in the zone that can deliver for them, they are restricted by the religion.The argument is that whoever that will be picked as Tinubu’s running mate must be a Christian from the North. 

Looking at the names of people being circulated as potential vice presidential candidates, no one seems to have the capacity to match the PDP candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in terms of votes delivery. Yet, APC needs a strong person that can divide the vote for the former vice president who will now be running for the sixth time.

As things stand, Tinubu and APC is locked in a dilemma of picking the right person for the coveted position. The pressure is intense and there is no grace for second chance if they failed to do the needful in the next twenty four hours.It is a decision that will either make or mar Tinubu and the party ahead of 2023. 

And if the story continues this way, Tinubu may not have other choice than to succumb to the pressure and go for a Muslim running mate who will deliver for him on election day.