Southern -Northern Progressives Youth endorse Boss Mustapha to be Tinubu’s running mate

Group of Youths from Northern and Southern extraction of Nigeria loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a press statement have endorsed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha to be a running mate to Chief Ahmed Bola Tinubu who got the party’s Presidential ticket for the coming 2023 election.

The groups have also condemned any plans and efforts to have a Muslim-Muslim ticket, as according to them it’s not healthy for the country’s nascent Democracy and it is also against the principles of Social inclusion.

On Boss as their choice of a running mate to Asiwaju, the Youth said they have widely consulted people of high ranking political profile across the Southern and Northern parts of the country and they all recommended that Boss is the most fit and qualified for the noble office.

“Our members, elites and stakeholders; the South-North Progressive Youth Congress and hosts of other Arewa groups strongly recommends and endorses the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Barr. Boss Mustapha popularly known as Mr. Synergy, as the Vice presidential candidate and running mate to H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The SGF was considered and endorsed strictly based on credibility, competence, loyalty to the principles of the Party, political advantages when compared with other most likely persons for the V.P slot.

“It is worldwide known that SGF Boss Mustapha has distinguished himself as the most credible, reliable and competent northern Christian in the corridor of power with immense good rapport from across the North with both Christian folks and Muslims.

“His credentials and credibility has earned him several commendations from his boss, the President, his effective management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria has given him a national appeal with high political support base.

“This and many factors are the reasons why this Group are advocating for APC and the Jagaban Borgu to chose Barr. Boss Mustapha as the best match for easy 2023 political victory.” The statement said

The statement which was signed by Hon Nseabasi Brownson, National Coordinator and Alhaji Bashir Aliyu Galadanchi said that the are known as an advocate group for good governance, national inclusion, unity, peace, progress and development of Nigeria at various levels irrespective of the geopolitical zones.

While congratulating chief Ahmed Bola Tinubu for emerging victorious as the Presidential candidate after the National Convention of the APC, other flag-bearers of the party who won their Primaries at various levels as gubernatorial candidates, Senate, House of Representatives, and State Assembly members.

They said Nigerian is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic country with predominantly Christians in the South and some Muslims and predominantly Muslims in the North and some Christians. It would be unfair and paying deaf ears to the rudiments of fair play and Justice to run a Muslim/Muslim ticket by the APC in the forth-coming general elections in 2023.

They continue to say that:

“Let it be put on record that much as we appreciate the revitalization blueprint for Nigeria which Alhaji Ahmed Tinubu intends to swing to bring Nigeria back to the path of growth, unity, national cohesion and security, achieving that and more will be feasible if the issues of religio-ethnic interest in the power calculus of the next national government is addressed on time.

“The current and visible challenges of Nigeria as a country have sparked off tears and worries from several quarters in recent years and these are issues which any Party that seeks to win election and lead a peaceful country should not sweep under the carpet.

“Tacitly put, we condemn in very strong terms the current rumours of the purported Muslim/Muslim ticket being conjectured by the Presidential candidate of the APC, His Excellency Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

“We advise that the APC should not slip into such political murky waters by acceding to whatever antics and pressure of having a Muslim/Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential elections to avoid unnecessary and avoidable challenges which could derail the vision of the coming government.

“Let us not forget the experiences of the 1993 general elections how the Muslim/Muslim ticket of Alhaji M.K.O. Abiola and Alhaji Babagana Kingibe ended.

“We strongly advocate for a Christian to be considered to be the running mate of his Excellency Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu the Jagaban of Borgu who convincingly won the APC presidential primary as the candidate of the Party.

“We adjure the leadership of the APC in the country to listen to the voice(s) of reason and do the needful. We strongly advise and wish that the APC Presidential candidate, Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu, listens to Nigerians. No tree can make a forest. No King is King without a Kingdom. And there is no Kingdom without a people. He who must be crowned king must be ready to listen to the people. A stich in time saves nine.”