Atiku: I rejected Tinubu as running mate over Muslim-Muslim ticket

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar recounted an incident where he rejected the candidacy of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his running mate due to their shared Muslim faith. While addressing a group of elders after securing the presidential ticket, Tinubu approached Atiku with the proposal. The elders informed Atiku of Tinubu's desire to be his running mate.

Atiku, however, firmly opposed a Muslim-Muslim ticket, emphasizing that such a choice would not be in the best interest of the nation. After parting ways with the elders, Atiku later returned to Abuja where President Muhammmed Buhari visited him. Buhari had won the primary election but needed Atiku's support to win the secondary election.

Atiku set a condition for his support - that Buhari would not pick Tinubu as his running mate. After some deliberation, Buhari agreed to the condition. However, Tinubu was furious when he was informed about the agreement, as he believed Buhari had broken the promise. Ultimately, Tinubu nominated Osibanjo, his Attorney-General, who was a Christian, and Buhari accepted the nomination.