Shettima offers apologies to Muslims for NASS Leadership comment

Kashim Shettima, vice president, has expressed regret for his remark regarding the election of the leaders of the 10th Assembly to the Muslim community.

Shettima stated, “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” in a meeting with lawmakers prior to the National Assembly election.

Particularly on social media, the remark sparked a contentious debate.

Shettima, however, claimed in an interview with BBC Hausa that his comments had been misinterpreted and that he had no desire to disparage his religion.
The comment I made, he claimed, was for Nigeria’s benefit but was misunderstood. I am provided with private intelligence reports that should not be made public.

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I genuinely didn’t intend to hurt anyone or the Islamic faith in any way. I do, however, ask for forgiveness from my Lord and the rest of the community because I am a flawed human being. As a devout Muslim whose family has faithfully followed the path of Islam for more than 1,400 years, I swear I will never use such words again.

It was never my intention to disparage any religion, so I sincerely apologise to anyone who was offended by my statement.