No fewer than 250 All Progressives Congress’ youth groups in the north have adopted the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam, as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s running mate.
The APC Arewa Youth and Support Groups declared their support for Pam at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, national coordinator, Lukman Bako, said the APC northern youths have concluded arrangements to mobilize over 50 million votes for Tinubu in 2023.
Bako described the reports of a Muslim-Muslim ticket as “worrisome and against the principle of religious tolerance and sensitivity in the country”.
He said 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 State Governor.
According to Bako, Pam ticks all the boxes 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 further described Rev 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 chairperson of the Christian Association of Nigeria and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, they added that Pam will be the easy choice for Christians.
The APC Arewa youths, therefore, declared that with the NCPC boss as Tinubu’s no 2 not only will the party present a balanced ticket, it would ultimately emerge victorious at the polls.
While assuring the APC of maximum support at the polls, the groups, however, urged party faithful to rally behind Pam as the most-suited vice presidential candidate.