Atiku reveals why he turned down Tinubu as running mate

The presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has come out to explain how he turned down an offer by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then the governor of Lagos state, to be his running mate due to his resistance to a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

The explanation was made during an interview with Atiku in Hausa language posted on X where he talked about his presidential campaign and his connection with Tinubu.

In the words of the former vice president, Tinubu came with five respected elders when he had gotten the presidential ticket to discuss the issue of his becoming his running mate.

Atiku said the delegation included former National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy, Bisi Akande, former Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Ikimi and three others.

He said he rejected the proposal because he believed presenting two Muslims on the same presidential ticket would not be in the best interest of Nigeria.

“They told me that Tinubu wanted to be my running mate. I told them that, as Christians, they should understand that it was inappropriate for me to pick a Muslim as my running mate.”

Atiku said he also questioned why the elders could not communicate his position directly to Tinubu.

“I told them that I could not accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket, because it would not be of the best interest of our country.”

According to him, Tinubu subsequently left the political camp and supported the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

“He broke away and backed the late President Umaru Musa Ya’adua, may his soul rest in peace.”

Atiku said the disagreement marked a period in which both men went their separate political ways until they found themselves working together again during Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaign.

Atiku Recalls Buhari’s 2015 Campaign

The ADC presidential candidate also recounted a meeting with the late former President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2014 election period.

According to Atiku, Buhari visited him at his Abuja residence after emerging as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and sought his support for the general election.

Atiku said Buhari told him he needed his support to win the presidential election, prompting him to attach a condition to his backing.

He said he had learnt that Tinubu wanted to be Buhari’s running mate and therefore insisted that Buhari must not field a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“I gave him one condition because I learnt that Tinubu wanted Buhari to pick him as his running mate. I assured him I will support on the condition that he will not do Muslim-Muslim ticket.”

Atiku said Buhari considered the condition for several minutes before assuring him that he would not select a Muslim as his running mate.

Tinubu Wanted to Be Buhari’s Running Mate — Atiku

Atiku further claimed that after Buhari left his residence, Tinubu sent emissaries to find out about the agreement reached between the two politicians.

According to him, Tinubu became upset after learning that Buhari had agreed not to choose him as running mate.

“Tinubu was so upset, saying that Buhari had not kept his promise, and so on. He was eventually calmed down.”

Atiku said Tinubu later proposed that Buhari could select his wife as running mate because she was a Christian, but Buhari rejected the idea because he was unwilling to work with a female running mate.

He added that religious leaders subsequently became involved in the disagreement before Tinubu eventually accepted the choice of Yemi Osinbajo, who was then his Attorney-General in Lagos State.

“Clerics were involved in the ensuing disagreement, but in the end, Tinubu was convinced to nominate Osinbajo, who was his Attorney-General and a Christian and Buhari accepted the nomination.”

Atiku’s account comes amid renewed political debate over presidential alliances and the possibility of Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian tickets ahead of the 2027 general election.