Since the announcement of Kashim Ibrahim Shettima as the running mate to the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, so many Nigerians, especially those in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) and other mushroom Parties have thrown caution to the wind in denouncing the choice of this highly esteemed and celebral Gentleman.
Their grouse is that the man is a Muslim. When has religion become a hindrance to one’s aspiration in life? In their warped imaginations, a Muslim–Muslim Ticket is a taboo, a no-go area.The pertinent question is: Has Religion become the major criteria for picking a Presidential Running Mate? Has Nigeria become so polarized that everything is viewed from the prism of ethnicity and religion. Where is the place of meritocracy? Where is the place of competence? Where is the place of Excellence? This has not always been the case with Nigeria and Nigerians.
Time was, in this country when the people rooted for excellent leadership qualities and enviable pedigree and antecedents, while scouting for Political Leaders. It would be recalled that in the 1993 Presidential General election, Successful Businessman and Philanthropist,Chief M.K.O. Abiola, a Muslim picked a fellow Muslim in the person of Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as his Running Mate, under the Social Democratic Party ( SDP).
According to the records, that election has been adjudged as the freest and most credible election ever in Nigeria with the duo as the acclaimed Winners even though it was annulled by the Military Government of General Ibrahim Babagida.
What this stand to reason out is that while the place of religion should not be undermined in the political equation, Competence and Meritocracy should play a more vital role in choosing a Presidential or Vice Presidential Candidate. In choosing Kashim Shettima as his running mate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said he looked beyond ethnicity and religion. He said he made his chioce based on competence and political clout after a wide consultation on who could deliver the much needed votes.
The Man Kashim Shettima. Who is he and where is he coming from?. Kashim Ibrahim Shettima is the current Senator representing Bornu Central in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having served two terms as Governor of Borno State with so many Awards.
For us to have a better understanding of his personality, a look at his background is necessary. Born on the 2nd of September 1966 in Maiduguri,Bornu State, he attended Lamisula Primary School in Maiduguri from 1972 to 1978, Government Community Secondary School Biu from 1978 to 1980 and transferred to Government Science Secondary School Potiskum, now in Yobe State where he completed his Secondary education in 1983.He studied at the University of Maiduguri and earned a B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics in 1989.
After his Youth Service, he went on to obtain his Masters in the same field from the University of Ibadan in 1991.He was in the academia from 1991 to 1993 as a Lecturer at the University of Maiduguri.
From there he left for an impressive career in the Banking Sector, which saw him work in different Banks and holding various Managerial positions that climaxed in his being appointed as the General Manager of Zenith Bank Plc. From the Banking Sector, he started his political career which kick-started as the Bornu State Commissioner for Finance and transfered five Ministries as Commissioner.
In the April 26th 2011 Governorship election in Bornu State,Shettima won 531,147 votes to defeat the PDP Candidate, Mohammed Goni who polled 450,140 votes. After serving two terms as Governor and earning various Awards, he contested and won the Bornu Central Senatorial District election in 2019. We have gone to this extent to establish the fact that the Running Mate to the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is a man competent and capable of deputising for him.
Now that the issue of Bola Tinubu’s educational qualification has been laid to rest with the Richard Dailey College and Chicago State University confirming that Bola Tinubu did not only attend the University, but was also a Tutor, it’s time for us to look beyond matters that divide us.
At this point in time what Nigerians should be focusing on should not be issues of religion or ethnicity. Nigerians should direct their attentions to matters that bothers on proficiency, ability, capability, political clout, human capacity and general acceptance.
Nigerians should look at issues of economic dexterity, leadership sagacity and political perspicacity. A combination of Bola Tinubu’s Financial Wizardry and Kashim Shettima’s Managerial Skillfulness, could be the Magic Wand and Midas Touch needed for a time like this.
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