Eight northern Christian groups led by the Jukun Development Association of Nigeria have asked the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu to pick a northern Christian as his running mate.
According to the group, there are a lot of qualified northern Christians who could be Tinubu’s running mate adding that the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, is also suitable for the position.
The group stated that Lalong, who was the former speaker of the Plateau state House of Assembly and currently the Chairman, the Northern Governors Forum, is an individual who has exhibited resounding and sterling leadership qualities in the area of managing the complexity of northern Nigeria’s diversity.
Speaking further, the national President of the group, Chief Bako Benjamin said Lalong share a lot of characteristics with Tinubu as a detribalised and religiously liberal Nigerian.
The group emphasised that Tinubu should select as a running mate a humble, energetic, highly intelligent and selfless individual like Lalong, adding that such a move will not only bring victory to the party and further cement the diversity of the country.
The group said, “The Jukun Development Association of Nigeria (JDAN) on behalf of the seven Northern Christian groups congratulated Sen Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for emerging victorious in the just concluded APC presidential primary election and pledged their full support for him.”
The group said his victory has attested to the fact that Tinubu is loved by almost all the people yearning for good governance, prosperity and accountability in our diverse l Nigeria.
“We are using this opportunity to endorse the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong to be picked by Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his vice because we trust him as a force for unity,” JDAN said.
JDAN warned that if Christians are neglected or sidelined in the scheme of things in the APC, there will be consequences that may affect the chances of the party in the general elections.