Vice President Kashim Shettima has professed his readiness to implore incoming Senators to allow a Southern Christian to take up the position of the Senate Presidency. He made this plea during an interaction with Senators in Abuja.
Shettima is of the opinion that a Southern Christian would be a better Senate President option because the current dispensation already has a Muslim President and Vice-President. In his words, “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 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.”
The Vice President emphasized the need for Nigeria to survive and progress despite its multi-ethnic and multi-religious makeup. He stated that putting competence and the progress of the nation before personal interests should be the priority of those vying for leadership positions, especially as Nigeria is in a delicate phase of its socio-economic and political development.
The Senate Presidency race has been a hot topic in Nigeria, with different regions and ethnicities vying for the position. However, Shettima’s statement highlights a need for competent leadership that places national interest over regional or religious affiliations.
