Abiola added that it was alarming that such unambiguous plea was unfairly misconstrued to imply that Shettima said the most incompetent Christian candidate for the Senate presidency was superior to a Muslim candidate.
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Presidency has said that remarks made by Vice President Kashim Shettima on southern Senate president were taken out of context.
Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, Olusola Abiola, said in a statement on Monday that Shettima’s remarks at an interactive session that the nation’s current political structure demanded the emergence of a southern Christian and a northern Muslim as the fairest balance to promote inclusivity at the centre “was motivated by a profound awareness of the divisive factors within our great nation and was in harmony with the governing party’s pledge to ensure inclusivity across all regions and among all groups.”
He added, “President Bola Tinubu has wholeheartedly reassured the country of his dedication to providing every group with equal representation, which has resonated with the vice-president who shares the same commitment to this honourable endeavour.
“Unfortunately, the vice president’s remarks have been stripped of context and mischievously circulated as an attempt to minimise the suitability of Muslim contestants in the race for the Senate leadership.
“The remarks have not only been taken out of context, but also misinterpreted to suit an agenda that sabotages our collective bid for unity.”
Abiola stressed that what Shettima advocated was the choice of a non-Muslim contestant, even if it was against a more qualified Muslim option, to achieve balance, since the president and the vice president are Muslims.
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Abiola added that it was alarming that such unambiguous plea was unfairly misconstrued to imply that Shettima said the most incompetent Christian candidate for the Senate presidency was superior to a Muslim candidate.
“The vice-president’s position reflects the stance of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“APC assigned the leadership of the House of Representatives to the Northwest and designated the position of Deputy Senate President to the same region.
“At the time the vice-president made his remarks, three contenders for the Speakership race had withdrawn their candidacy to support the candidate from the Northwest.
“This well-considered balancing strategy aimed to mitigate the potential for crisis within the country, particularly by those anticipating the domination of leadership from the same religious faith in all branches of government.
“It will be illogical for the vice-president, a Muslim to second-guess the competence of fellow Muslims in a nation headed by a Muslim president.
“The president has demonstrated unmatched leadership qualities on the strength of which he and his deputy were elected in February,’’ he stated.
Abiola added that the vice president wished to distance himself from the wrong and dangerous inferences drawn by a section of the public on his remarks.
He noted that while some inferences were made innocently and without mischief, there were entities that had seized on the story to cause further chaos that transcended the realm of power politics.
