A pro Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu group known as Yoruba Oke-Oya Fun Asiwaju (YOFA) has said the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is acceptable in Northern Nigeria like late MKO Abiola, who won the 1993 presidential election. Director-General of YOFA, Abdulfattah Olaitan Shittu, stated this in Zaria when he led members of his group on a courtesy visit to the Oba Yoruba in Zazzau Emirate, Alhaji (Bar) Ishak Bello, to seek his blessing and assistance in mobilization of Yoruba community to participate in the 2023 general elections.
Shittu said, the North has been magnanimous and demonstrated spirit brotherhood by supporting Tinubu during the APC presidential and in the build up to the general election, but the Yoruba community in the North must wake up and rally round their own, to show the their host community that, Asiwaju is also accepted, and valued at home. He pleaded with the traditional ruler to assist in mobilizing his subjects across the Zazzau Emirate to go and participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter’s Registration to get their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and go out to vote Asiwaju in the general elections. Responding, the Oba Yoruba of Zazzau, Alhaji Ishak Bello, urged the group to back their belief in Asiwaju as the messiah that Nigeria needs, with prayers that God should chose the best for Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Association of Northern Professors (ANP) on Saturday suggested an APC joint ticket of Asiwaju Tinubu and the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev Yakubu Pam as his running mate. The scholars made this known in a research paper made public at the weekend in Abuja. Co-signed by Prof. Kakuta Yaki, a Professor of Public Administration and Politics and Prof. Ibrahim Shuaibu, a former President of the Political Science Association, the paper said the conclusion was the product of extensive research work by Professors from diverse backgrounds in politics, history and international relations. Among the array of qualified northerner considered, the Association of Northern Professors said Rev Pam stands out based on its findings.
“Pam is a most suitable candidate for the APC because of his rich pedigree and numerous contributions to the entrenchment of peace and unity in the Northern region. He commands respect amongst the northern elites and clerics. The choice of Rev Yakubu Pam as the vice-presidential candidate of the APC comes with its attendant benefits, as it would give the APC a balanced ticket that would eventually guarantee electoral success at the polls,” the scholars said.
Story By
Jide Orintunsin, Abuja and AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna