The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed the unveiling of Senator Kashim Shettima as its vice-presidential candidate as controversy trails the party’s choice of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

Mr Shettima’s presentation to party members had been slated to hold at the APC national Secretariat on Thursday. However, reporters who arrived at the venue were told that the event has been moved forward in line with directives from the party’s Deputy National Secretary.

No reason was given for the decision.

However, the delay comes amid controversy over the choice of a Muslim-Muslim ticket by the party.

Mr Tinubu on Sunday announced Mr Shettima as his running mate, saying he picked the former Borno governor as his running mate for the 2023 presidential because he will approach governance devoid of ethnic or religious sentiments.

“Today, I announce my selection with pride because I have made it not based on religion or to please one community or the other,” Mr Tinubu had said.

If Mr Shettima’s nomination goes through, it will mark the first time since 1993 when a major party ticket had Muslims as both presidential candidate and running mate.

The decision has been met with hostile reactions from religious and ethnic bodies. 

On Sunday, pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere said a combination of  Muslim/Christian ticket “should have been considered.” The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) raised concerns that Mr Tinubu’s decisions could plunge the country into a religion-stoked crisis, despite it being lauded by APC stakeholders in Borno.