Shettima opens up on Muslim-Muslim ticket, says no plan to Islamise Nigeria

By our reporter| The vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kashim Shettima on Friday dismissed claims that the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the ruling party ahead of forthcoming general elections will Islamise the country.

Shettima was on Sunday picked as the vice-presidential candidate of the APC by the party’s flagbearer, Bola Tinubu.

The choice of Shettima, a Muslim from the north east, did not go well with many, especially the Christian community in the country and some members of the APC, including one of the presidential candidate’s allies and former SGF, Babachir Lawal.

But defending his emergence as the candidate for the second top job on Friday while addressing members of the APC Professional Forum who paid him a visit in Abuja, Shettima believes Nigerians have nothing to fear.

“They are accusing him (Tinubu) of an attempt to Islamise the country; has he started with Islamising his own family?” he queried.

“Now, we are in the knowledge-driven age, in other clans, people are talking of nanotechnology, biotechnology, quick data, and artificial intelligence, while we are busy here talking about herdsmen, farmers/herders clash, rural banditry, kidnapping, battling with Boko Haram and talking about religious mix.”

“The task before us is to transform this nation into a just and fair society where everyone will have a sense of belonging. We should learn to accommodate and embrace each other.

The former two-term governor of Borno State, and the lawmaker representing Borno Central senatorial district at the National Assembly in Abuja, believes Tinubu has shown that he can tolerate any religion.

He asked Nigerians to look beyond religious sentiment and focus on how to move the country forward.

“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; yes, his running mate might be a Muslim, but his life mate for over 40 years is not only a Christian, but a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God,” Shettima further stated.

“He did not enforce his own Islamic faith on his own children. He was the first governor to hand over mission schools to the owners, and he has groomed people from all walks of life.

“I think we have to look at the larger picture; the task before us is to transform this nation into a just and fair society where everyone will have a sense of belonging. We are a kaleidoscope of colours; we should learn to accommodate and embrace each other.”