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Some politicians secretly pushing for Muslim Senate president, speaker to cause chaos: Shettima

The VP said having all four leadership positions occupied by Muslims will “validate” and give “credence” to allegations of an Islamisation agenda led by the All Progressives

• June 12, 2023
Kashim Shettima
Kashim Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima says there are entities and individuals pushing for a Muslim Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives to mobilise their communities to cause “chaos” in the country.

Mr Shettima disclosed this in a statement signed by Olusola Abiola, director of information, Office of the Vice President, on Monday,  explaining his position on having a southern Christian as Nigerian Senate President.

“The Vice President became aware that some entities and individuals were covertly pushing for Muslim leadership of the National Assembly with the sole aim of using the instance to legitimise their grievances against the Nigerian state and to prove to their communities that they have been marginalised and must rise to cause chaos. 

“This sheds light on the paradoxical situation where the same lawmakers who opposed a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket are now actively campaigning for political arrangements that would result in Muslims occupying all the highest four or five positions in the country,” he added.

Mr Shettima, who did not oppose the same faith ticket that featured him and President Bola Tinubu before the February 25th presidential election, has been vocal against the emergence of  Muslims as Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

The VP said having all four leadership positions occupied by Muslims will “validate” and give “credence” to allegations of an Islamisation agenda led by the All Progressives Congress. 

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