APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has denied being a religious bigot while submitting that he has respect for the Christians.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned the former Lagos state governor, who said this during an interactive meeting with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), clarified that choosing Alhaji Kashim Shettima as APC vice presidential candidate had nothing to do with religion.
Tinubu also said he had nothing against the Christians in the country being a religion that his wife and children practice.
‘Why Senator Kashim Shettima? Why the same faith presidential ticket? Well, I did not choose Senator Shettima so that we could form the same faith presidential ticket. The presidential ticket was constructed as the same progressive family and it was also a people- based ideology. I offer a confession. I selected Senator Shettima thinking more about who would best help me govern.
Picking a Christian as running mate would have been politically easier. But the easy way is rarely the right one. The selection of a running mate is at once a very momentous yet very intimate decision. Resting such a key decision on religious affiliation as the primary weight did not sit well with me. I am not saying there were not good and adequate potential running mates of the Christian faith. What I am saying is that the times we inhabit do not lend themselves to the good or adequate. We have urgent problems that lend themselves not to a Christian or Muslim solution. We need the best solution.
Every time I thought about it, and I did think a lot; I came to the same conclusion: Kashim Shettima. His faith was immaterial. He is a brilliant man with superior intellectual capacity. He is studious and detailed-oriented. Enjoying excellent organization skills, Shettima fully understands the vital difference between governance and politics.
This exceptionally gifted human being has humility of spirit, courage of his convictions and a strongly progressive world view in harmony with my own perspectives on government and its relationship to the governed’ Tinubu said.
The APC presidential candidate added that he trusts in Shettima’s ability and knows the great lengths he (Shettima) went in fighting Boko Haram in his state (Borno), where he did his best to protect the Christian community and rebuild damaged churches.
‘This man understands the value of our national diversity in all of its ramifications, including religion. He possesses the courage to stand up to those who would wreck that diversity and freedom’ he said.
Tinubu also noted that he sees all Nigerians as brothers and sisters in the national family meaning that no one is inherently inferior or superior to anyone else, regardless of faith, place of origin, social status and gender.
Tinubu said his belief in the need for a secular government and faith-based organizations to work in unison had however been firmly established before venturing into politics.
‘I never chased people out of Lagos nor made them feel unwanted. During my administration, Lagos welcomed all comers and continues to do so today. After me, Lagos has had one Muslim and two Christian governors. I may not be perfect. What human being is? But I am not a petty man secretly wedded to secret biases and prejudices.
The rumour that this is some plot to suppress the Christian community is untrue and unfortunate. I can no more suppress the Christians of this nation than I can suppress the Christians in my own household, my very family. You all know my wife is Christian and a pastor. My children are Christians. I can no more disown them and their choice of faith than I can disown myself. As a husband and a father to a Christian wife and children, hearing such allegations is hurtful. However, that individual discomfort will not deter me from the job at hand’ he said- Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980. Thank you
