No basis for me to reject appointment as APC presidential campaign DG – Lalong

Simon Lalong, Plateau governor, says 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).

Abdullahi Adamu, APC national chairman, announced Lalong’s appointment on August 4, adding that the choice of Lalong as DG of the campaign council is based on his capacity to deliver.

The Plateau governor has, however, come under criticism for accepting the role and supporting the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

Responding to critics on Wednesday after a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, Lalong said 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 said the appointment had nothing to do with religion, and was strictly a party affair.

He also advised Nigerians to focus on issues beyond ethnicity or religious sentiments, and denied claims that he lobbied to become Tinubu’s running mate for the presidential election.