Supporters of the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong and some stakeholders of the APC in the state are pushing for the choice of the governor as Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate. Lalong they say fulfils two key objectives, first, he is a Christian, second, he is from the North Central zone, a region that has turned into a beautiful bride as different political parties scheme to capture the zone.
But a former Minister of State for Information and Communications, Ibrahim Nakande, in a statement, said Tinubu should not pick Lalong as his running mate.
Nakande said, “As a major stakeholder in the All Progressive Congress in Plateau State, let me without mincing words, first of all, make it clear that, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not the choice of Governor Simon Lalong at the just concluded presidential primary of the APC that was held at the Eagle Square in Abuja.
“Governor Lalong threw his weight fully behind a former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, who has been his political ally for long time and every sincere observer of political events can attest to this.”
He alleged that Lalong was trying to claim he supported Tinubu when he did not.
Nakande added, “But beyond the issue of who Governor Lalong supported, I make bold to say that he does not deserve the vice presidential ticket because he is not a leader who believes in justice and fairness.”
In response, a former Deputy Majority Leader, Federal House of Representatives, Baba Akawu, dismissed claims made by the former minister as lacking in evidence and a product of blackmail and falsehood.
The former lawmaker insisted that the North-Central deserved the position of the vice president in the interest of equity, justice and fairness.