Hon Daniel Gbabo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State has declared that the party cannot sacrifice the candidacy of the APC Presidential running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima on the altar of sentiments.
Gbabo, a former Senior Special Assistant (Secondary and Tertiary Education) to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state insisted that leaders should be classified on the basis of pedigree and competence and not tribe or religion.
The former top aide who disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen in Makurdi, the state capital on Wednesday also declared that he was at home with the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
Gbabo who is also the former Chief of Staff to the First Lady of Benue State insisted that the Presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made the right decision by choosing Senator Shettima as his running mate for the 2023 general elections.
According to him, “Governance cannot be sacrificed on the alter of vested sentiments, therefore those clamouring for the replacement of Senator Shettima are rather serving a vested interest and not the interest of our society and people.
“Distinguished Senator Shettima remains our Vice Presidential candidate and cannot be replaced. He was nominated based on his outstanding qualities and sterling track record of performance. What matters is his heart and mind, he is a good man and very capable. That should be the focus.
“Asiwaju and Shettima are running on their unquestionable and unblemished pedigree and cannot be separated as candidate and running mate.
“Asiwaju has made the right decision. Both of them have a track record of mentoring the best hands. I strongly believe that more than ever, they will employ the best hands and provide the needed direction to improve the economic well-being of our country and people.”
While he stressed that, “Nigerians should only be classified on the basis of their pedigree and competence and not tribe or religion”, Gbabo stated that “Senator Shettima cannot be replaced at this material time on the basis of mere sentiments.”
He explained that as a practising Christian he was at home with the decision of the Muslim Muslim ticket, adding that “history is only about to repeat itself, I can assure you that Asiwaju and Shettima will win on the first ballot.”
Gbabo who observed that power belongs to God, quoted the Holy Bible saying “God has spoken once and twice I have heard that power belongs to God alone and He gives to whosoever He wills.”