What Tinubu told CAN leadership on Wednesday over choice of Shettima, policies, others

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, met with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, on Wednesday.

The former Lagos State governor was invited to participate in an interactive session with the apex Christian body to share his thoughts and concerns about the country.

Tinubu told CAN that he sees Nigerians as equals and brothers and sisters in the national family, implying that no one is inherently better or worse than anyone else.

According to the former governor, anyone who does not believe that all Nigerians are equal regardless of faith, place of origin, social status, or gender should not run for president in a country like ours.

“I recognize the enormity of your work and have nothing but the highest regard for your selfless contributions to our national cause,” Tinubu said.

“I’m not here to flatter you. However, I must state that I consider your work to be critical. No society or nation can function properly or achieve greatness unless its moral and ethical fiber is intact.

“We cannot achieve the good place God has destined for this nation unless we have the right frame of mind and disposition of heart.”

“As a result, I see what I hope will be my future responsibility as president and your ongoing responsibility as a vital moral compass for the nation as mutually reinforcing.” My belief in the importance of secular government and faith-based organizations working together is not something I recently adopted to help my campaign.

“This collaborative agenda encapsulates my entire political career.” As Governor of Lagos, I worked with the Christian to improve people’s lives and promote education. For example, I returned mission schools to their owners, the vast majority of whom are Christians.

“As the new year approached, I established a yearly Christian Denomination Service at the Governor’s residence.” This custom is still practiced in Lagos. More importantly, we promoted religious tolerance and interfaith collaboration. My cabinet members were diverse and talented. I didn’t think about whether a team member was Christian or Muslim, Yoruba, Igbo, or Arewa when I was in charge.

“I have never succumbed to unfounded prejudice and discrimination.” This would be a recipe for failure in the governance of a diverse society, and I am not a man who is used to failing.

“I never chased people away from Lagos or made them feel unwelcome.” Lagos welcomed all comers during my administration and continues to do so today. Lagos has had one Muslim and two Christian governors since me.

“I am not perfect. What exactly is a human being? But I am not a petty man with hidden biases and prejudices. This brings me to the question on many people’s minds here. What makes Senator Kashim Shettima unique? Why is a same-faith ticket required?

“Well, I didn’t pick Senator Shettima so that we could run on the same ticket. The ticket was built with the same progressive and people-centered ideology.

“I have a confession to make. I chose Senator Shettima based on who I thought would best assist me in governing. It would have been politically easier to select a Christian running mate. However, the easy way is rarely the best way. The choice of a running mate is both a momentous and intimate decision.

“It did not sit well with me to base such an important decision on religious affiliation as the primary weight.”

“I’m not saying there weren’t good and adequate potential Christian running mates. What I mean is that the times we live in are not conducive to the good or adequate. We have pressing issues that do not lend themselves to Christian or Muslim solutions. We require the best solution.

“Every time I considered it, and I did consider it a lot, I came to the same conclusion: Kashim Shettima.” His faith was unimportant. He is a brilliant individual with exceptional intellectual capacity. He is meticulous and studious. Shettima, who has excellent organizational skills, understands the critical distinction between governance and politics.

“This exceptionally gifted human being possesses humility of spirit, conviction, and a strongly progressive worldview that is consistent with my own views on government and its relationship to the governed.”

“I have faith in the man’s abilities. I know how far he went to combat Boko Haram in his state. He did everything he could to protect the Christian community and to rebuild damaged churches.

“This man recognizes the importance of our nation’s diversity in all of its facets, including religious diversity.” He has the courage to oppose those who would undermine diversity and freedom.”

“I know people have reacted harshly to my selection,” Tinubu said of his personal life. They did so without knowing the man or giving him or me a fair shot. The rumor that this is some sort of plot to persecute the Christian community is false and unfortunate.