The presidential flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has revealed why he submitted the name of Ibrahim Masari as his running mate for the 2023 general elections.
The former Lagos State governor had submitted his completed nomination forms to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, June 15th.
Tinubu signed and personally returned the forms two days ahead of schedule as stipulated by the electoral law and INEC guidelines and timetable.
This newspaper reports that the APC National Leader submitted the name of Ibrahim Kabir Masari to INEC as a placeholder until a suitable replacement is found.
Speaking to The PUNCH, the Director of Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Bayo Onanuga said the APC presidential candidate wants to take his time in selecting a running mate.
Asked if Tinubu submitted a running mate to INEC, Onanuga said: “Yes, he is Ibrahim Masari. He once worked as a member of the National Working Committee when Adams Oshimhole was in charge of the APC excos.
“He is not really a surrogate per se. He is just holding forth. The electoral act stipulates that candidates have the window period to substitute up till sometime in August.
“Asiwaju will use that time to continue consulting with the party, governors and the president. He is taking his time and doesn’t want to rush it.”
He disclosed that it is taking Tinubu time to pick a competent and sellable candidate for the post of the vice president because he believes in due process.
“He just wants to carry everybody along. Even the elections will take place in 2023 and the campaign wouldn’t start until September. The window period is still long. There is no need to rush anything about it.
“I think we have fulfilled our own part by submitting the name as required before the window of INEC deadline closes,” Tinubu’s aide said.
