The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has explained the reason for his decision to pick a Muslim as his running mate in the forthcoming general elections.
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State and chieftain of the ruling party, had announced a former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, as the APC vice-presidential candidate.
His choice of Shettima who is a Muslim as running mate has, however, sparked widespread criticism, especially from the Christian community in the country.
The APC standard-bearer, in his reaction, believes the challenges facing Nigeria require placing competence in governance above religious sentiments.
According to the statement, Tinubu expressed his absolute respect and regard for both the Christian and Muslim faiths in the country.
He stated that by his selection, he was not oblivious of the religious and ethnic sensitivities of the nation but made the choice in the overriding interest of the country.
