The decision by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to submit a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election was a team effort based on calculations of what would work for the party, according to Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese.
In a statement he personally signed on Monday, Kuka said it was unimportant that Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, choose Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Remember that Asiwaju named the former governor of Borno State as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election on Sunday.
Concerned Nigerians have continued to respond to the development by arguing that Shettima should have been replaced by a Christian Northerner.
In response to the incident, Kuka stated that those who were upset by the situation should support other candidates they believe to be superior.
"This is what you call team selection," the message continues, "and everyone will choose based on what they think will give them a fair opportunity. People will then accept accountability for their decisions. It doesn't bother me enough to keep me up at night.
"We are Democrats because you cannot compel people to be unhappy with the decisions that have been made. No candidate can be forced to win by us outsiders.
You now have to consider the decisions that have been made. Furthermore, there is no assurance that all Muslims will vote for Muslims and all Christians will support Christians.