#NigeriaDecides: Dariye, Nyame, 153 Christian Leaders Back Tinubu For Presidency

The presidential bid of the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, received a boost on Wednesday following the support of 155 Christian leaders from the North.

CityNews Nigeria reports that the Northern Christan leaders included serving and former governors, incumbent and former federal and state lawmakers, academics and businessmen.

In a message titled: “The Patriotic Voice of Northern Christian Minorities” on Wednesday, the leaders said they are backing Tinubu to become the next president because he is the best for the country.

The leaders added that the APC candidate should be allowed to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari because he is a completely detribalized Nigerian, religiously tolerant, and productively matchless.

The message was jointly signed by Minister of Special Duties Senator George Akume, Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, former Governors Jolly Nyame of Taraba state and Joshua Dariye of Plateau state.

The leaders said Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, have track records of performance when they were governors in their respective states of Lagos and Borno and as representatives of their senatorial districts in the National Assembly.

They said their decision, which came from careful and extensive consultations, was based on their passion and determination to move the country forward.

According to them, Nigeria needs performers like Tinubu and Shettima, hence, their resolve to support their ticket without any hesitation.

The leaders, therefore, urged Nigerians, particularly in the North, to shun ethnicity, religion or regional bias while exercising their civic duty.

The statement reads: “As we approach the 2023 Presidential election, Nigerians need to see the candidates, not with eyes of ethnicity, religion, or regional bias. Rather, our focus should be on who is better qualified in terms of capacity and patriotism to build on the achievements of the out-going administration and deliver a better tomorrow.

“The APC presidential candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a completely detribalized Nigerian, religiously tolerant, and productively matchless.

“As a former governor of Lagos State, he was able to harness the human potential of the State, irrespective of tribe and religion, to draw up a blueprint for Lagos State and began the implementation of the same.

“Today, Lagos State is recognized as the fourth largest economy on the African continent. It is our firm belief and conviction that what Asiwaju did for Lagos can be replicated for the entire nation.

“We, the Christian minorities of the North affirm our belief in the ability and competence of this ticket to deliver to Nigerians the blueprint it has presented for the prosperity of all. After all, we did it in 1993 with the Abiola/Kingibe ticket with huge success.

“We appeal to all Nigerian voters who believe in the principles of our heroes’ past, to vote these proven performers into office on the 25th of February, 2023.

“Let us not be distracted by those who believe that the way to victory is to tear Nigeria apart on the basis of tribe and religion. If you want the best, you have to vote for the best.

“Our collective responsibility to a greater Nigeria for our children is by standing shoulder to shoulder with the most experienced Tinubu/Shettima combination. Nigeria deserves a purposeful, innovative, decisive, determined, dependable, and progressive leadership.

“The cap for good governance fits Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs the Tinubu/Shettima winning team of excellence through experience for service to our country.”