Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has disclosed that the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress, Bola Tinubu, found himself in trouble in his search for a vice-president.
Newsonline reports that the South-West governors forum chairman, Akeredolu also stated that Tinubu cannot pick his VP from the North-West since President Buhari is from the region.
Governor Akeredolu also stated that Tinubu is facing a serious moment in picking his VP because many factors have to be considered.
Akeredolu said the former governor of Lagos State is considering the North-West but since President Buhari is from the zone he is left between choosing equity and where votes will come from.
Governor Akeredolu further disclosed that the option of South-East and South-South is not on the table because Tinubu is from the South, stating that the Vp has to come from the North.
He said the presidential candidate of APC, Tinubu may finally settle for a VP from either NortCentral or North-East.
Akeredolu on Channels TV programme explained, “The circumstance Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu has found himself now, that’s a major of what I’ll call ground-wetting. For instance, he’ll not pick from the South. So he’s left to make a choice from the North.
“Because he’s from the South he won’t pick from South-East or South-South, because he’s from the South-West he has to pick from the North.”
Akeredolu further explained, “when you look at the North, a lot of factors will have to come into play. Some will say ‘pick from North West’ But North West, that’s where the President now comes from.
“Will they have a second bite whether as vice or anything? Some will argue ‘why not pick from the North East?’ That’s a factor to be considered.
“Others can argue, ‘why not pick from North Central?’ So, another factor to be considered is ‘okay, where do you get votes?’
“So many factors, but under these circumstances, I think he is probably left with North Central and North East probably because so many factors can come into play.
“So, in determining who you pick at the end of the day, you have to look at loyalty. Will this person be loyal or will he be there to undermine you? Those are issues you’ll have to consider very seriously.”
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The All Progressive Congress presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 17 June submitted the name of Ibrahim Masari from Katsina State as a placeholder VP to eat INEC’s deadline.
The former Lagos State governor, Tinubu has been unable to name an official running mate.
The search for a vice-presidential candidate has also been made tougher because Tinubu is a Muslim, to get a VP from the North will require either a Muslim VP to get the North votes, as a majority of Northerners are Muslims. This move is already being condemned by many.
If Tinubu picks a Christian VP from the North, he may likely have fewer votes, as religion and ethnicity play role in the country’s election.
