Fireworks as ex-SGF, Lawal, faults Tinubu’s claim of competence in choice of Shettima, says Osinbajo is more competent than him

In an exchange of tantrums, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, has faulted the claim of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu that competence informed his choice of a fellow Muslim, Sen. Kashim Ibrahim Shettima, as his vice-presidential running mate, saying competence was not applied in electing as APC presidential candidate.

Lawal said in terms of competence, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) is more competent than Tinubu and he would not have emerged as the ruling party’s candidate.

Persecondnews reported that Tinubu had in a statement while announcing Shettima as his running mate said: “Our focus, therefore, must be on getting the job done; and that means getting the very best and competent people to do it.

“In this crucial moment, where so much is at stake, we must prioritize leadership, competence, and the ability to work as a team over other considerations.”

Reacting to Tinubu’s claim of citing competence, Lawal who had earlier berated Shettima’s  choice as a disastrous error, said it was dead on arrival and that a Muslim-Muslim is a threat to the country’s unity.

“If it is not reversed, the move will eventually drag down the whole APC members to the pit,’’in a widely circulated press statement.

Again while featuring on Arise TV interview on Thursday, Lawal said: “First of all, nobody should aspire to be president of this country if he knows there will be religious dichotomy in the system.

“You will antagonise the Christian majority in this country. It’s a direct attack on them and even in your own zone because when it comes to religion, Nigerians take religion first.

“Now, you jeopardize the whole of the Christians in the north, in the south-south, in the south-east. If it is based on competence, Tinubu, who has one degree in business administration, cannot beat professor Osinbajo. So, competence in what? Who examines this competence? Is it an exam?

“So, in any case, maybe given that Shettima is the most competent person from the north, which exam did he take? Islam preaches justice. Why can’t they see this? No Muslim would want to live in acrimonious relationship with his neighbour.’’

On why he cannot campaign for Tinubu’s Muslim- Muslim ticket, the former Buhari’s SGF said it would be difficult for him to sell Tinubu, his friend in his state, Adamawa.

“See me, B.D. Lawal, a Christian, APC chieftain, a friend of Bola Tinubu, how will I go to Adamawa and stay on the podium and say vote for Bola and his Muslim-Muslim ticket?”