Simon Lalong, Plateau governor, has stated that he has no basis to reject the position of director-general of the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential campaign council.
Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, picked Kashim Shettima, the former governor of Borno, who is also a Muslim, as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
The development has elicited criticism from key stakeholders, particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Responding to critics on Wednesday after a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, Lalong stated that nobody can dissuade him from performing his responsibilities, having already accepted the position.
He also said as a Catholic, the Pope has not informed him that it is improper for him to serve as the director-general of the APC presidential campaign team.
He told journalists that the Plateau state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) came to the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Jos, to welcome him after his appointment as the APC presidential campaign DG.
Lalong also said the appointment had nothing to do with religion, and was strictly a party affair.
He advised Nigerians to focus on issues beyond ethnicity or religious sentiments.
Lalong also denied claims that he lobbied to become Tinubu’s running mate for the presidential election.