Speaking with BBC Hausa, Shettima insisted his comments were misinterpreted and that he had no intention of defaming his religion.
Vice-President
Kashim Shettima has apologised for asking lawmakers to elect a Christian Senate
President for the 10th National Assembly.
Ahead of
the election, Shettima said: “Under the current dispensation, the worst
incompetent Southern Christian is better than the most puritanical Northern
Muslim for the Presidency of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Shettima
comments stirred up controversy and outrage, especially on social media and
among the Muslim community.
He said,
“The comment I made is for the benefit of Nigeria but was misinterpreted. I
received confidential intelligence reports that are not suitable for public
disclosure.
“I
sincerely did not have any intention to cause harm to any individual or the
Islamic religion. However, being an imperfect human being, I seek forgiveness
from the community and from my Lord. I pledge that I will never reiterate such
words again, as I am a devout Muslim, and my family lineage has faithfully
followed the path of Islam for more than 1,400 years.
“To anyone
who was hurt by my statement, I apologise, as it was never my intention to
disparage any religion.”
Godswill
Akpabio, a Christian from Akwa-Ibom North-West, has since been elected as
Senate President.
No comments:
Post a Comment