THERE was amusement and confusion as journalists assigned to cover the official unveiling and presentation of the former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima as the running mate of the presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, watched as pastors and Bishops from different Christian denominations showed up at the venue.
According to media reports, their presence puzzled onlookers and guests who stared hard at them as they walked into the reception of the Musa Yar’Adua Centre dressed in their cassocks and habits, amid heavy security at the venue.
Before the event, reports have been circulating online from religious bodies urging Christian leaders to boycott the unveiling to drive home the point of their grievances.
It should be noted that the Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Christians Association of Nigeria’s (CAN) President, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, had earlier condemned the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria has stated it clearly that the situation in the country now is not suitable for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“It is up to Nigerians to accept or reject. Today’s Nigeria is not the same as when Nigerians voted Abiola-Kingibe ticket which was eventually annulled. Our prayers are with Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile the President of CAN’s Youth Wing, Belusochukwu Enwere, had also stated that the body was still consulting and had not taken a position on their preferred presidential candidate.
“Well, we are still meeting at our level in CAN. Consultations are still ongoing on what we need to do and the kind of candidate we want. For now, we are weighing all the presidential candidates irrespective of religion. For now, let us just say we are indecisive at the moment,” he said.
