Vice President Kashim Shettima has responded to the misinterpretation of his recent remarks endorsing Senator Godswill Akpabio for the presidency of the 10th Senate. He expressed concern over the deliberate distortion of his words to sow discord among the populace.
In a statement issued by Abiola Sola, Director of Information in the Office of the Vice President, Shettima emphasized that his support for Akpabio was not intended to undermine any individual or region but rather to emphasize the significance of diversity and justice.
During an interactive session with senators advocating for the emergence of Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senator Barau Jibrin as Senate leaders, Vice President Kashim Shettima highlighted the need for a Southern Christian and a Northern Muslim to lead the 10th Senate, recognizing it as the fairest balance to promote inclusivity at the national level.
Sola clarified that Shettima’s statement was distorted by being stripped of its context and circulated to diminish the suitability of Muslim candidates in the Senate leadership race. The statement was intended to foster unity and inclusivity across all regions and groups, in line with the governing party’s commitment.
Shettima’s advocacy for balance was aimed at mitigating potential crises arising from the perception of religious domination in government. He cautioned against covert attempts to exploit the situation for personal and divisive agendas, which would ultimately undermine the country and the administration.
The Vice President distances himself from the misleading interpretations of his remarks, urging the public to avoid exacerbating divisions. While some misinterpretations may be innocent, others deliberately exploit these divisions for their own destructive purposes. Shettima emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in order to prevent any agenda that could undermine the new government and the unity of Nigeria as a whole.