Shettima: Buhari Pacify APC Governors As They Express Anger Over Tinubu’s Decision

At a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors expressed their displeasure over the manner in which the presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu handled the choice of his running mate, Kashim Shettima.

PUNCH reports that a source at the private meeting noted that Tinubu reserved the right to choose his running mate but the announcement of Shettima was done when the governors had not finished their discussions with him.

The governors said Tinubu didn’t care about their opinion even though he would rely on them for mobilisation.

The aggrieved APC governors claimed they watched Tinubu’s announcement like every other Nigerian and he admitted he had not informed Shettima of his decision to pick him as running mate.

It however took the intervention of the President to pacify the governors and urged them to support the Tinubu-Shetima ticket.

The source said: “At the meeting, the governors expressed their anger over Tinubu’s decision to pick Shettima. It was as if he didn’t even care about the opinion of the governors even though he will rely on them for mobilisation. Buhari, however, pleaded with them to accept Shettima since he is a loyal party member.

“We all watched the announcement on television just like every other Nigerian. Tinubu did not discuss this with anyone. He even admitted that he had not informed Shettima of his decision to pick him as running mate. This was not proper at all and the governors made this known.”

Also, an associate of Tinubu also spoke with PUNCH, said the former Lagos Governor was not supposed to make the announcement in that manner.

“What happened was just like Tinubu’s announcement at the Presidential Villa in January when he told the media about his intention to contest. Sometimes, he makes these announcements in the spur of the moment. Many of us were shocked”