Tinubu said some of those criticizing his choice of Shettima as running mate were his close friends whom he turned down.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress has disclosed that those criticizing him for the Muslim/Muslim ticket actually lobbied to be his running mate but he bluntly rejected them.

Tinubu said some of those criticizing his choice of Shettima as running mate were his close friends whom he turned down.

He disclosed this during an interactive session with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abuja, led by Archbishop Daniel Ukoh.

Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and close ally of Tinubu, had condemned the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Lawal described the decision to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket as “a disastrous error.”

Also, an erstwhile Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, urged Christians to vote against the APC following Tinubu’s decision to settle for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Some other Nigerians had accused the APC flagbearer of plotting to Islamize Nigeria.

Speaking during the session, Tinubu dismissed the Islamization claims in some quarters.

The APC presidential candidate also dismissed claims of trying to suppress Christians with his choice of a running mate.