Eric Patrick
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified why Vice President Kashim Shettima’s identify was not talked about throughout the latest endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second time period.
Addressing the controversy on Politics In the present day on Channels Tv, the APC Nationwide Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, stated the omission was according to social gathering norms and constitutional process—not a slight on the Vice President.
Salihu defined that the endorsement, made on the APC North-East stakeholders’ summit in Gombe on Sunday, was solely centered on the presidential ticket, which historically includes the social gathering’s standard-bearer alone.
“In my full speech—particularly within the final paragraph earlier than the endorsement—I praised Vice President Shettima, acknowledged him as our son, and affirmed our assist for him as folks of the North-East,” Salihu stated.
He added: “I additionally appreciated the National Security Adviser and different North-East appointees, thanking Asiwaju [Tinubu] for recognising our area. Solely then did I transfer to endorse him because the social gathering’s sole presidential candidate.”
READ ALSO: Tinubu Endorsement Turns Chaotic at APC North-East Summit Over Shettima Snub
Salihu additional defined that social gathering endorsements at this stage of the political course of don’t sometimes embrace working mates.
“In social gathering politics, notably throughout the primaries, just one candidate is endorsed for the presidency. The selection of a working mate comes after the primaries, and it’s the constitutional prerogative of the presidential candidate,” he stated.
He famous that whereas consultations could happen, the endorsement of a joint ticket doesn’t exist inside the social gathering’s constitutional framework till after a nominee emerges.
