By Ishaya Ibrahim
Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani Kayode, has said that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila renounced Christianity for Islam in order to be anointed for the office.
Fani-Kayode is not the first person to accuse Gbajabiamila of changing his religious beliefs so as to win the sympathy of the presidency for the position.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo had in a statement in June said: “Although people have a right to change their religion, the sudden change from a Christian to a Muslim and his umrah journey to Mecca just to be Speaker is a bad omen. Can we trust such a character who can change his faith for power sake?” the statement said.
At a meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders of the South West, Fani-Kayode said while religion is a personal choice, he accused the presidency of using it as a basis for appointment and support.
“The speaker of the House is from the South West. In terms of religion, he had to do a little bit of tinkering to get that position of Speaker. We all know this. I’ve known Femi for over 45 years now. He is my good friend.
“Religion is a personal issue. But the fact that to enjoy a political office in this country, we now have resorted to the point that you have to change your religion in other to be accepted by some people, it’s unacceptable. That’s not the Nigeria we know,” he said.