‘There’s no Islamisation agenda’ — Shettima says his aides are Christians

Kashim Shettima, the vice-president-elect, says there is no plot by the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu to Islamise Nigeria.

Speaking on Saturday at the inauguration lecture in Abuja, Shettima said Tinubu, the president-elect, who has not Islamised his family cannot do so to the country.

In the build-up to the February elections, the issue of religion elicited varied reactions after Tinubu, a Muslim from the south-west, picked another Muslim – Shettima from the north-east – as his running mate.

The Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket sparked controversy.

Reacting to the Muslim-Muslim ticket argument, Shettima said he deliberately picked an Igbo man, who is a Catholic, as his chief security officer and a northern Christian as his aide de camp for the purpose of togetherness.

‘I was a child of necessity, there is no Islamisation agenda. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a Muslim who is married to a Christian, not only a Christian but a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God,” he said.

“Someone who has not Islamised his family, people are alluding that he has the intention to Islamise the nation.

“Politics is about perception. As we begin the formation of a new administration, I deliberately picked an Igbo man, a Catholic, to be my chief security officer.

“For the purpose of inclusivity and togetherness, again I deliberately picked a northern Christian to be my ADC. So the so-called founder of Boko Haram is going to be protected by….”

Speaking further, the former Borno governor said the incoming Tinubu administration understands the seriousness of the work ahead, adding that they are ready to serve Nigerians.

“We are to serve. We are to listen. We are here to be held accountable. We are not sent on an evangelical mission. Therefore, like every mortal, we may stumble here and there. None of these mistakes could be intentional,” he added.

“We shall never be oblivious of the impermanence of this power and we acknowledge that we shall be judged by man and God.”