Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of APC revealed that criticism comes from those who lobbied to be his running mate instead of Kashim Shettima.
Speaking during an interactive session with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by Archbishop Daniel Ukoh, on Wednesday in Abuja, Tinubu disclosed that some of those criticizing him were his close friends whom he did not choose as his running mate.
According to reports Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and close ally of Tinubu, had condemned the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Lawal described the decision to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket as “a disastrous error.”
Also, an erstwhile Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, urged Christians to vote against the APC following Tinubu’s decision to settle for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Some other Nigerians had accused the APC flagbearer of plotting to Islamize Nigeria.
Speaking further, Tinubu dismissed the Islamization claims in some quarters and claims of trying to suppress Christians with his choice of a running mate.
He said, “People have reacted harshly to my selection. They are my friends, they lobbied me and wanted to be my running mate but I bluntly rejected them.
“The rumour that this is some plot to suppress the Christian community is untrue and unfortunate. I don’t have that kind of agenda.
“I can no more suppress the Christians of this nation than I can suppress the Christians in my own household, my very family, I cannot Islamise Nigeria.”
