By Ademola Adeleye
As the debate for the choice of running mates for the major political parties flag bearers continue to dominate the media space, the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Presidential flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been told to pick the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, as his running mate ahead of the 2023 presidential poll.
According to eight Northern Nigeria Christian Groups, Lalong remains a unifying force for the country.
The group led by the Jukun Development Association of Nigeria (JDAN) said the governor has leadership qualities in the area of managing the complexity of northern Nigeria’s diversity.
The group pointed at Governor Lalong who was the former speaker of the Plateau state House of Assembly and currently the Chairman, Northern Governors Forum (NGF) as an individual who has exhibited resounding and sterling leadership qualities in the area of managing the complexity of northern Nigeria’s diversity as the only hope of uniting the people.
Speaking further, national President of the group, Chief Bako Benjamin said Governor Lalong share a lot of characteristics with JAGABAN Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a detribalize and religiously liberal Nigerian that is a uniting figure.
The group emphasized that Tinubu should select as running mate a humble, energetic, highly intelligent and selfless individual like Lalong will not only bring victory to the party and further cement the diversity of the country.
A statement issued by the National President of JDA, Chief Benjamin Bako, on behalf of the Christian groups said they are endorsing Lalong to be Tinubu’s running mate because of his track records in peace building.
JDAN, which has powerful members like General Theophilus Y Danjuma, the patron of the association who has also touch the lives of many people especially in every nook and cranny of the North and Nigeria in general added that apart from the fact that Tinubu/Lalong ticket will bring victory to the APC, it will also bring sanity, trust and grow cordial coexistence between the Northern people and Nigeria at large.
“The Jukun Development Association of Nigeria (JDAN) on behalf of the seven Northern Christian groups congratulated Sen Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for emerging victorious in the just concluded APC presidential primary election and pledged their full support for him.
The group said his victory has attested to the fact that Tinubu is loved by almost all the people yearning for good governance, prosperity and accountability in our diverse l Nigeria.
The association said the only hurdle standing between Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Aso Rock is the choice of his running mate which must be acceptable to christians and Muslims alike. It said choosing a running mate will make or mar his chances in the general elections if desire not only victory but to also unite the nation .
We are using this opportunity to endorse the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong to be picked by Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his vice, because we trust him as a force for unity” JDAN said.
JDAN warned that if Christians are neglected or sidelined in the scheme of things in the APC, there will be consequences that may affect the chances of the party in the general elections.
