By Our Correspondent
In what appears to be a twist of event, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is said to be looking elsewhere for his pick on Vice Presidential running mate for the 2023 poll.
A source within the Tinubu political camp, hinted on Tuesday night, that the former Lagos state Governor is beaming his searchlight for a Christian Northern woman to be his Vice.
In the search, it was learnt that the former Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial Zone, Senator (Rev.) Binta Masi Garba, is being strongly tipped to pair with Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the February 2023 Presidential election. It is however gathered that Tinubu is considering a female Christian politician in the north with great electoral value, who can easily sway the votes of both Muslim and Christian population in the north, including the women and youths, who constitute the bulk of voting population in the northern Nigeria.
The choice of Senator Binta Masi Garba, the source in Tinubu's camp, was alleged informed by the overwhelming acceptability and presumed popularity of Senator Binta Garba as a grassroots female politician who commands strong voter appeal and following.
Besides, her alleged close relationship with Tinubu's wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is a colleague of the affable female lawmaker in the Senate, is said to be among the key factors being considered by the APC presidential flagbearer in looking in the direction of Senator Binta Masi Garba as the chosen one for the Vice Presidential slot.
However, Senator Ishaku Elisha Abbo, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and his immediate predecessor, Babachir David Lawal, who were earlier rumoured to be considered for the job, have not met the criteria, according to the source, as "they are not as popular as Senator Binta Masi Garba" .
Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seen as an advocate of women inclusion in governance and as such is looking to extend his advocacy to the federal level.
Apart from Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, who was deputy to former Lagos State Governor, Micheal Otedola, from 1992 to 1993, the state has enjoyed having female deputy governors through Tinubu’s support.
They include Sarah Sosan (2007-2011) Adejoke Orelope-Asefulire (2011-2015) and Dr. Oluranti Adebule (2015 - 2019).
Senator Binta Masi Garba is not new in Nigerian politics as she served two terms as House of Representative member in Kaduna State, Senator representing Adamawa Northern Senatorial Zone and the first woman chair person of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
It is however clear that if Binta is selected and subsequently the APC wins the 2023 General election, she will be the first woman Vice President in Nigeria. NNL.
