Masari To Christians: Politics Is About Good, Fair Leadership, Not Religion

Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State yesterday waved aside the disapproval of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) by its Christian members, declaring that “politics is about good and fair leadership not religion.”

On the same day, protesters under the aegis of All Christians Community of Northern Nigeria marched to the Presidential Villa to submit a protest letter to President Muhammadu Buhari over the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Also yesterday, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima, tore to shreds Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, declaring that he could only become a President in Igboland, “but definitely not in Nigeria. Nigeria is too big for him to handle.”

Masari, who spoke while responding to questions from journalists shortly after a meeting with President Buhari at his private residence in Daura, Katsina State, threw his weight behind the choice of Shettima as running mate to Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The governor explained that what the nation needed at the moment “is good leadership, a just, competent and fair leader, irrespective of his religion, tribal or geo-political affiliations.”

He said: “Shettima is a former governor, serving senator and a very brilliant person who has all the qualities to be the vice-president. So, I fully support his nomination as the running mate of Tinubu for the 2023 presidential election under the platform of APC.

“He is very qualified. So, I am pleased with his nomination. It is better to have a good Christian than a bad Muslim likewise is better to have a good Muslim than a bad Christian. So, it is about the person, not his religion really.

“I know that there are some perceptions out there, but I think as important as perception is, let us understand the reality. When they say a particular person will be this, let us examine the person; his antecedents.”
Masari described Shettima as a non-religious extremist and accommodating politician: “If you talk to the Christian community in Borno where he had the opportunity of being the governor for eight years, you will hear their testimonies about his performances of being a just and fair leader.”