If Tinubu was picking a northern running mate solely on merit without any reference to faith or political affiliation his long-list would have looked something like this:

Ayo Akinfe 

[1] Lamido Sanusi - Economy 

[2] Amina Ibrahim - Socio-economic programmes

[3] Attahiru Jega - Impeccable integrity 

[4] Labaran Maku - Socio-economic programmes 

[5] Rabiu Kwankwaso - Socio-economic programmes 

[6] Matthew Kukah - Impeccable integrity  

[7] Pauleen Tallen - Socio-economic programmes 

[8] Shehu Sani - Credibility 

[9] Martin Luther Agwai - Security expertise 

[10] Muhammad Sa’adu Abubakar - Impeccable credibility