Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress’s nominee for president, has named Senator Kashim Shettima as his running partner.

According to a presidential adviser named Buhari Sallau, he made this announcement on Sunday while speaking to journalists in Katsina State.

This occurs shortly after Tinubu and Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari met with President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.).

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje stated on Saturday that Tinubu has chosen a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

As a stand-in for the vice presidential position, Ibrahim Kabiru Masari was already selected by Tinubu.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Tinubu promised to replace Ibrahim Masari with a qualified running mate.

Tinubu responded, “Kashim Shettima, I have not discussed with him but I have disclosed it to you,” when pressed further on the actual running mate.

Masari resigns as Running Mate.

Ibrahim Masari expressed his willingness to continue working for the party despite leaving.

In a statement titled, ‘Resignation as APC’, Vice Presidential nominee’, Masari said, “This is to inform our esteemed party leaders under our able President Muhammadu Buhari, teeming party members and the great people of Nigeria, of the outcome of a crucial discussion I just had with the flag-bearer of our great party, All Progressives Congress APC, Bola Tinubu.

“In stepping down, I believe I can still serve our party and the country in several other capacities.

“I wish to confirm that I have submitted my withdrawal letter and affidavit to that effect as the Vice Presidential Candidate to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the coming elections.”

“Recall that I had the singular honour and privilege of being nominated as the running-mate to Asiwaju Tinubu last month after a keenly contested presidential primaries ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“But, after much reflection and wider consultations, I now wish to step down. I realized that my decision will enable Asiwaju have more latitude to give more accommodation and inclusion that will position our party to win the coming elections, with the support of the people of Nigeria.

“In stepping down, I believe I can still serve our party and the country in several other capacities.

“I wish to confirm that I have submitted my withdrawal letter and affidavit to that effect as the Vice Presidential Candidate to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the coming elections.”

Shettima is a vocal Muslim politician from Borno State’s Kanuri tribe.

He joined the finance industry in 1993, working as head of the accounts unit for the (now-defunct) Commercial Bank of Africa Limited in Ikeja, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria. Shettima served there between 1993 and 1997.

On September 2, 1966, he was born in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

From 1972 to 1978, Kashim attended Lamisula Primary School in Maiduguri. From 1978 to 1980, he proceeded to the Government Science Secondary School in Potiskum (now in the neighbouring Yobe State), where he finished his secondary school in 1983.

In 1989, he graduated from the University of Maiduguri with a BSc in Agricultural Economics.

At the University of Ibadan in Southwest Nigeria, he graduated with a Master of Science (MSc) in Agricultural Economics in 1991. Between 1991 and 1993, Shettima worked as a lecturer in the department of agricultural economics at the University of Maiduguri.

He held the position of Commissioner in five ministries from 2007 to 2011.

He served as Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in 2008, Commissioner of Education in 2009, Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2010, and Commissioner of Health in 2011. From the Ministry of Health, he ran for governor in 2011 and won on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, which is no longer in existence. He was sworn in on May 29, 2011.

He was chosen as Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, an association of Governors in the 19 States in northern Nigeria, after winning reelection in 2015 under the banner of the All Progressives Congress.