Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule yesterday dismissed agitations against same-faith ticket, saying that it will not in any way affect the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at next year’s presidential election.

Featuring on Channels Television Politics Today programme in Abuja, Sule said the APC presidential standard bearers, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu considered many factors before making up his mind to choose former Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima.

Describing it as the best for the present time in the nation’s political space, Sule said it was normal for such decision to attract reactions.

He said those agitating against have forgotten about Nigeria’s political trajectory.

He added that Nigerians should grow beyond religious and ethnic sentiments in political matters.

Sule said: “I think Shettima’s choice goes beyond winning an election.

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It has to do with several other factors, which also included a working understanding between our presidential candidate and his vice.

“In 2011, Shettima is somebody Asiwaju respected so much.  He is somebody, who is bold to tackle the issues facing the country.

“There is no political decision that will not elicit one form of agitation or the other.

“But, it is interesting to note that more than 30 Reverend Fathers attended the unveiling of the Shettima today in Abuja.  That underscores that the issues go beyond ethnic and religious sentiments.

“Those who are questioning this decision seem to have forgotten the political history of this nation.  This is not the first time we would be having a presidential candidate and his vice being of the same religious group.

“The issue of religion is a problem for a certain group of people, who want to make it a problem.”

On the party’s performance at the last Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, Sule said the party lost due to some internal squabbles.

He added that some of the gladiators caught in the intra-party wrangling in the state have pledged their loyalty to the APC ahead of the general election.

Sule said: “I think people who keep talking about Osun State have forgotten the past. There is nothing new that happened in Osun that hasn’t happened before.

“Some of those involved in the squabble have publicly pledged their allegiance to the APC at the centre. So, it is nothing against the APC, but internal local issues.”