SIR: Babachir Lawal was relatively an unknown stock to Nigerians prior his ascendance to the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation in 2015. Even after his emergence as the SGF, his visibility in the political sphere was still limited, until his involvement in that grass cutting scandal – an inglorious scandal that led to his premature exit from the government of President Buhari in 2017.
After few years in the political doldrums, he resurfaced during Tinubu’s presidency bid and indeed, proved to be one of those northern front-liners mobilizing and canvassing for support of Nigerians for the project till Asiwaju Tinubu eventually won at the presidential primary.
Ever since the choice of APC vice presidential candidate, his outbursts have been unsavory, combustible, volatile and indeed, unbecoming of a top political chieftain who fervently and religiously desire victory for the party during the forthcoming presidential elections.
He has bluntly failed to reckon with the fact that the choice of a vice presidential candidate is essentially the prerogative of the candidate, while working on the candid advice of the major stakeholders of the party. Presently in Nigeria’s political setting, the major stakeholders of APC are the sitting president, the governors and the National Working Committee, and perhaps some few resounding voices in the party.
With his cognate pedigree and political antecedents, Kashim Shettima, the vice presidential candidate is one of the finest in the Nigerian political space. His capacity, capability, emotional and mental intelligence for the job are not in doubt. A key element in his candidacy is his popularity in the entire north, a factor that would significantly assist Tinubu in seamlessly and conveniently establishing communication with the north thus assisting in rebuilding and reigniting the trust and confidence that have almost disappeared between the North and the South.
Just like his boss, his personality and ebullient posture is also an advantage to attract honor and respect of generality of Nigerians to the ticket, a development that is expected to translate into victory at the polls.
So, where did Tinubu go wrong in the choice of Shettima as his vice presidential candidate to have attracted loads of vituperations from Babachir Lawal and his ilk? Every presidential and governorship aspirant is looking for vice/deputy candidate capable of attracting mileage to his ticket. Tinubu has got one in Shettima.
Here is appealing to Babachir Lawal and other mischief makers in APC to reconsider their stands in the interest of the party and henceforth, sheath their swords. It’s in their best interest for the party and her candidates to be victorious at the polls. Churning out invectives and highly provocative statements based on religious sentiments would only be counterproductive to the agenda of winning.
- Kola Amzat (FCA)
Lagos.