‘There’s no Islamisation agenda’ — Shettima says his aides are Christians
‘There’s no Islamisation agenda’ — Shettima says his aides are Christians
The Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima on Saturday has addressed concerns that he and his principal, Bola Tinubu, have an agenda to islamise Nigeria.
Since Tinubu announced Shettima as his running mate last year, there have been divergent views by different groups and individuals with some alleging that the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could be a ploy to Islamise Nigeria.
But speaking at a lecture in Abuja forming part of the events around Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29, the incoming Vice President allayed such fears, saying there was no agenda to Islamise Africa’s most populous nation.
He described his principal as a Muslim who is married to a Christian and pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
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“I was a child of necessity, there is no Islamisation agenda. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a Muslim who is married to a Christian, not only a Christian but a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
“Someone who has not Islamised his family, people are alluding that he has the intention to Islamise the nation,” he added.
The Vice President-elect revealed that he deliberately picked an Igbo man of the Catholic faith to be his Chief Security Officer.
Also selected as his security aide is a Northerner to be his Aide De Camp (ADC), saying his decision was based on togetherness and inclusivity.
“Politics is about perception. As we begin the formation of a new administration, I deliberately picked an Igbo man, a Catholic, to be my Chief Security Officer,” he stated.
“For the purpose of inclusivity and togetherness, again I deliberately picked a Northern Christian to be my ADC. So the so-called founder of Boko Haram is going to be protected by…”
The former Borno governor said the Tinubu’s administration understands the seriousness of the work ahead, adding they were ready to serve Nigerians.
He said, “We are to serve. We are to listen. We are here to be held accountable. We are not sent on an evangelical mission. Therefore, like every mortal, we may stumble here and there. None of these mistakes could be intentional.”
“We shall never be oblivious of the impermanence of this power and we acknowledge that we shall be judged by man and God.”