Shettima also said he is ready to go on his knees to beg the incoming senators to allow a Southern Christian to emerge
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has argued that electing a Southern Christian as the Senate President of the 10th national assembly is crucial to the survival of the country.
He also said given the circumstances surrounding his faith and that of President Bola Tinubu, the most incompetent Southern Christian is better than the most puritanical Northern Muslim.
The former Borno State governor made this known during a recent interaction with incoming senators in Abuja, where he said he is willing to go on his knees to beg them to allow a Southern Christian to emerge.
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Speaking during the meeting, Shettima said: “I’m ready to kneel and beg my colleagues for the sake of the nation. This is for the survival of this nation.
“Here we are with a Muslim president and a Muslim vice-president in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious polity like ours.
“Number 1, 2. All of the same faith for God’s sake.
“Under the current dispensation, the worst, the most incompetent Southern Christian is better than the most puritanical Northern Muslim for the Presidency of the Senate.”
Prior to the parley, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had nominated Godswill Akpabio for the position of Senate President and Jibrin Barau as his deputy.
It also endorsed Tajudeen Abbas as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Benjamin Kalu as his deputy.
However, some elected APC legislators opposed the zoning arrangement, opting to contest for the positions despite the position of their party.
While Orji Kalu and Abdulaziz Yari are gunning for the position of the Senate President, former Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase wants to become the Speaker.
