The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, met with some Christian clerics under the aegis of the Pentecostal Bishops Forum of Northern Nigeria, saying his intention was to bring prosperity to the country.
Tinubu disclosed at the meeting with the clerics that his choice of a former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima was not a threat to the Christian community.
He said that his decision was based on competence and not religious considerations, adding that only competence can resolve the political and socio-economic challenges bedevilling the nation.
The former Lagos State Governor said he had always been a friend of the Christian community and should be considered based on his track records, plans and agenda for developing Nigeria.
“How will Nigeria develop? How do we banish hunger? How do we improve the insecurity, eliminate killing one another, and shedding the blood of innocent citizens? That is what we must take to the office and not our religion.
“My intention is clear, not religiosity. My intention is to develop this country, to bring prosperity to our country, and I have better qualifications, track records, exposure, and vision than any of my mates.
“When the shortlisted names came, I looked at the characters on the list, their background and everything and here is somebody (Kassim Shetimma) who is so brilliant, so committed, who, during the crisis in Borno, protected Christians,” he said.
However, the bishops said the meeting was not an affirmation that they would endorse the APC’s candidate, adding that they were not committed to supporting anybody.