The Ghana Chapter of the All Progressives Congress has asked Bola Tinubu, the party’s presidential candidate, to choose a female running mate.

Mr. Oghenosa Micheletti, Chairman of the APC Ghana, made the appeal in a statement on Friday, recalling how Tinubu, who ran with a female running mate, Mrs. Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele (1999-2003), assisted him in running a successful government.

Micheletti pointed out that Tinubu’s decision to appoint a woman as deputy governor paved the way for a slew of female deputy governors in Lagos.

Apart from Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, who served as deputy to previous Lagos State Governor Michael Otedola from 1992 to 1993, the state has benefited from Tinubu’s support in having female deputy governors as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.

Sarah Sosan (2007-2011), Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (2011-2015), and Dr. Oluranti Adebule are among them (2015-2019).

The Independent National Electoral Commission has given presidential and governorship candidates of the 18 registered political parties eight days to choose and submit their running mates, according to NAN.

The directive was given by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners on Thursday in Abuja.

Micheletti, who is also the Treasurer of the APC Diaspora Chairmen Forum, congratulated Tinubu on his election as APC presidential candidate, saying that Tinubu’s candidacy will bring in the Nigeria that everyone had envisioned.

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“What this also means is that when Tinubu wins, Nigeria will have its first female vice president that will go down in history.

“Tinubu’s candidature will ensure victory for APC in 2023 and ultimately, the consolidation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s legacies.

“With a female vice-presidential candidate, Tinubu will be the first presidential candidate of a ruling party to do so, and it will usher in the gender balance that some of us advocate for.

“Tinubu shall consolidate on infrastructure, confront decisively the insecurity challenges in the country, and address the economy, using a more magnifying Lagos State template for the nation.”

According to him, the APC, through its primaries, has again shown Nigerians that it remains a truly progressive party.

“The landslide victory of our Leader, Tinubu is an indication that our delegates made the right choice; his popularity and acceptance as the only formidable politician that can guarantee victory for our party in the general election is evident in the wide margin of results at the primaries.

“No doubt his track record as a true democrat and impactful leader through the years, is an undeniable factor in his triumph.”

The APC Ghana chairman also applauded the party’s national chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, for organising a free and fair primary election where the will of the people prevailed.

“We appreciate our president, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for his exemplary leadership, particularly for not imposing any candidate on the party.
“We also congratulate all the aspirants for displaying great sportsmanship which has added value to our democratic system.

“It is now time to close ranks and unite the party for the tasks ahead. The party leadership must reach out to all aggrieved members especially the aspirants in the contest and their followers because we are one family that can only win in 2023 with a united front,” Micheletti added.

As a result, he promised that members of the party in Ghana will vote for the APC in the 2023 general elections.

On Wednesday, Tinubu won the APC presidential primary, defeating 13 other candidates to claim the party’s nomination.