The All Progressives Congress has delayed announcing Kashim Shettima as Bola Tinubu's vice presidential running mate.
However, as of the time this story was filed, no formal explanation had been provided.
The unveiling has not been given a new date, either.
According to The bendelnews, Tinubu chose Shettima to be his running mate on Sunday and stated that the decision was made to promote good administration.
Four days later, however, the APC had yet to formally nominate Shettima as Tinubu's running partner.
Shettima's selection, however, was met with opposition from certain northern governors.
The choice of Shettima as Tinubu's running mate was also criticised by many Nigerians, who cautioned the APC against fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Why Shettima was chosen as my running mate by Tinubu
Despite protests against the Muslim-Muslim ticket, Kasim Shettima, a former governor of Borno State, was chosen by Tinub as his running partner for several reasons.
When choosing Shettima, Tinubu allegedly put "national progress and development" ahead of "religious sensitivities."
Shettima's history in politics and beyond, according to Tinubu, demonstrates that "he is ideally qualified not simply to deliver that crucial electoral triumph."
In "one of our fairest elections ever held," Nigerians supported Chief MKO Abiola and his fellow Muslim running partner, Baba Gana Kingibe, in 1993, according to the APC candidate for president.
He said that if we genuinely understood the difficulties facing Nigeria, people would value good administration more than religious feeling.
He continued, "The spirit of 1993 is upon us again in 2023."
There are a few comments I feel I must say about the remarkable and amazing person with whom I will share the APC ticket and the values of open and good governance that guided this decision after listening to the wise, deliberate advice of a large segment of the party and the nation.
"I am aware of the heated debate surrounding the potential religion of my running mate. I've heard from good and honourable individuals about this.
Some have advised me to choose a Christian in order to appease the Christian community. Some have advised me to choose a Muslim in order to appeal to the Muslim community. I obviously can't do both.
"Both sides of the issue have compelling justifications and arguments in support of their claims. In their own ways, each of the reasons is valid.
However, none is appropriate in the sense that Nigeria currently requires. I want to lead this country toward exceptional progress as president.
Innovation will be needed for this. It will necessitate novel actions. Additionally, it will necessitate making uncommon and difficult political judgments.
"I must first run as that kind of candidate if I want to be that kind of President. Let me make the audacious and ground-breaking choice to advance the country and our party's campaign closer to the grandeur that we were meant to attain, not to score political points.
"Today, I proudly proclaim my choice since I didn't base it on my religious beliefs or my desire to appease a certain group of people.
I took this decision because I think he can work with me to provide the finest government possible to all Nigerians, without regard to their religious beliefs, ethnicity, or location.
"Permit me to say this to everyone here, especially to those who will be disappointed by my choice because of religious factors. I shall not and am unable to disregard our people's sensitive racial and religious beliefs.
A crucial component of wise and competent government is giving them the consideration they deserve. Religion, race, and location, however, do not always and completely decide our course.
We must free ourselves from previous restraints if we are to move forward as a country toward prosperity and growth.
Our political calculations need to be rebalanced such that competence and justice are prioritised over reductive demographics.
In order to improve and regain Nigeria's fortunes and the hopes of its people, Tinubu stated that he chose Shettima as his running mate.
"Senator Kasim Shettima's history in politics and beyond proves that he is excellently competent not just to achieve that crucial electoral victory, but also to fill
the position of Vice President," he claimed. He has my undying trust and faith as a man of talent, wisdom, moral character, and patriotism.
"I am aware that many people will continue to pay attention to a certain topic, his religious beliefs.
"However, if we are to properly comprehend the difficulties facing our country, we must also recognise the necessity of prioritising competency in government over sentimentality.
In one of our most transparent elections ever, Nigerians supported Chief MKO Abiola and his fellow Muslim running partner, Baba Gana Kingibe, in 1993.
So, the ticket we propose today marks a significant turning point in our political history. It represents our party's resolve to take the forefront among African political parties.