A group, the Coalition of Middle Belt Youths Leaders has urged Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima to to allow lawmakers-elect to choose their presiding officers without interference.
Shettima was recently quoted as saying that the Senate President and the speaker of the House of Representatives cannot be of the same faith because it would fuel the Islamization agenda perception.
“What we are trying to avoid is a situation whereby the number of one citizen, number two citizen, the number three citizen, and the number four citizens are all of the same faith. That will lend credence and validate the negative narratives of the Islamization agenda of Nigeria,” he said.
Reacting during a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, leader of the coalition Dr. Nasiru Jagaba and Secretary Dr Gugu Filibus Musa described Shettima’s comment as a “cunning way to attempt to hoodwink the elected lawmakers into accepting the zoning arrangement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the leadership of the 10th national assembly.”
He said: “The country has moved on from the same faith ticket and we do not need this now and we believe that the best way Sen. Kashim Shettima can show that he is sensitive to the stability of this country and his sudden advocacy for Christianity is to humbly step down for a Christian Vice President as it is still not too late.
“Election of the leadership of the National Assembly has never been about religion/faith, so, we employ Kashim Shettima and his core travelers to desist forthwith from the unhealthy incitement and allow elected lawmakers to choose their leaders.”
