Although the governors declined to speak with the media after the meeting, it is believed to be in connection with last-minute hunting for a running mate for the party’s standard-bearer, Bola Tinubu.
The Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, led the governors to the meeting.
Since he emerged last Wednesday, Tinubu had been under pressure to produce a running mate.
The APC presidential flag bearer has been consulting various party stakeholders with the likelihood of a Muslim/Muslim ticket.
At the 2022 Democracy Day service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, last Sunday, the Christian Association of Nigeria warned that a Muslim-Muslim ticket would tear the country apart.
The CAN President, who was represented by the Founder of Sword of The Spirit Ministries International, Bishop Francis Wale-Oke, said, “While I congratulate the candidates, I must sound this warning, please do not fly a Muslim-Muslim ticket. It would not fly. It will not stand. Rather, it would set the nation against each other.”
Wole-Oke noted, “The candidate who will emerge is the one who works with the church. Please, do not alienate the church.
“If you embrace equity, fairness, and justice, the Nigerian electorate will reward you with their votes at the polls and they will give you their support.”
Attending the Villa meeting were the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; governors Babagana Zulum of Borno, Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, Mohammed Abubakar of Jigawa, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, and Hope Uzodinma of Imo.
