Following the choice of former Borno State Governor, Senator Kashim Shettima as the Vice Presidential candidate of of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the place holder, Ibrahim Kabiru Masari has written to the party withdrawing his nomination.
According to a presidential aide, Buhari Sallau, Masari addressed journalists in Katsina on Sunday and confirmed that he had submitted his “withdrawal letter and affidavit to that effect as the vice-presidential candidate to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the coming elections”.
The letter, which was signed by Masari reads: “This is to inform our esteemed party leaders under our able President Muhammadu Buhari, teeming party members and the great people of Nigeria, of the outcome of a crucial discussion I just had with the flagbearer of our great party, the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I had the singular honour and privilege of being nominated as the running mate to Asiwaju Tinubu last month after a keenly contested presidential primary ahead of the 2023 general election.
“But, after much reflection and wider consultations, I now wish to step down. I realised that my decision will enable Asiwaju to have more latitude to give more accommodation and inclusion that will position our party to win the coming elections, with the support of the people of Nigeria.
“In stepping down, I believe I can still serve our party and the country in several other capacities. I wish to confirm that I have submitted my withdrawal letter and affidavit to that effect as the vice-presidential candidate to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the coming elections.
“On behalf of myself and family, I wish to sincerely thank Asiwaju Tinubu — the incoming President, Insha Allah — for his trust in me and we promise to remain steadfast in our support for him and the party”.
Earlier, Tinubu met with President Buhari in the company of Katsina State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, and thereafter broke the news about his running mate.
Shettima, former Governor of Borno State and incumber Senator representing Borno Central, is Kanuri.
A former banker, the 55-year-old earned BSc in Agricultural Economics in 1989 from the University of Maiduguri. He got a Master’s in the same discipline in 1991 from the University of Ibadan. He joined the University of Maiduguri as a lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics and was in the academia from 1991 to 1993.
From 2007 to 2011, he served as Commissioner in five ministries, including Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs (2008), Education (2009), Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Health from where he contested the governorship in 2011, winning under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, which later fused with other interests to emerge as the APC.
He won reelection in 2015 under the APC and was chosen as Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, an umbrella body of Governors in the 19 States located in northern Nigeria.
