The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, (NCPC), Rev Yakubu Pam, should adopted as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2023 presidential election, All Progressives Congress (APC) youth groups in the north have recommended
The National Coordinator of the groups, Mr .Lukman Bako, told newsmen in Abuja that the APC northern youths have concluded arrangements to mobilise over 50 million votes for Tinubu in 2023.
According to Bako, no less than 250 APC youth groups in the north have declared support for Pam as Tinubu’s running mate.
Bako described media reports supporting a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the party as worrisome and against the principle of religious tolerance and sensitivity in the country.
He advised that a Christian cleric from the middle-belt with notable pedigree in uniting the various ethnic and religious compositions in the country should be picked to run alongside the former Lagos Governor.
“Rev. Pam is eminently qualified, being a bridge-builder and a unifying figure as evident in his numerous contributions to peace and development in Northern Nigeria and other parts of the country for decades” he said.
He further described Pam as a respected, well-known and accepted figure across the north with an intimidating credential that speaks volumes of commitment toward the country’s sustainable growth and development.
“As a popular preacher of international repute who has served as Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN,) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, (PFN), Pam will be the easy choice for Christians.
“With the NCPC boss as Tinubu’s vice, not only will the party present a balanced ticket, it will ultimately emerge victorious at the polls.
“While assuring the APC of maximum support at the polls, we urged party faithful to rally behind Pam as the most-suited vice presidential candidate.”
He said it was the belief of the group that Pam as the vice-presidential candidate of the APC, would guaranteed victory at the polls,given the strong followership he enjoys amongst the Christian community in Nigeria.
”In his capacity as former chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (North- Central) and as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 Northern states and Abuja, having been elected into the position since 2016,”, his choice will come with attendant benefits for the party,” he said.
Tinubu, who emerged the presidential candidate of the APC on June 8 had on June 26 disclosed that he was searching for a running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
He had made the disclosure in Abuja at the book presentation to mark the 60 years birthday of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.