From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia state, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has described the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, as an asset that Nigeria needs at the moment.
He also described him as a man who has the capacity and competence to pilot the affairs of Nigeria, leveraging on the already established progressive platform by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Senator Orji who spoke at an interactive session with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in Abuja, on Wednesday, appealed to CAN leaders to disregard the effort of some people to incite Nigerians against each over religious issues in order to score a cheap political points.
He described Tinubu as a man of character and integrity that should be trusted by Nigerians to rescue the country from myriad of challenges working against its socioeconomic growth and development.
He also disabused the minds of some people who are expressing fears that Tinubu might work together with his running mate, Kashim Shettima, to Islamize Nigeria. “This fear and anxiety is irrelevant. How can Tinubu Islamize Nigeria when he could not Islamize his wife and other family members. We are committed Christians. We should disregard that concerns and focus on things that would change the fortune of Nigeria.
“All these things people are saying about same-faith ticket in the forthcoming elections is just politics and interest. We would continue to drum support for our candidate because we strongly believe in him. We are committed Christians and can neither mislead members of our faith nor other Nigerians. Please let’s stop this politics of hatred, religious and other divisive actions. Believe us, Nigeria need Tinubu at this time.”
In his remarks, Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, said that same-faith never determine the development of a state or community, making reference to England that has a Hindu as Prime Minister and a Muslim as Mayor of London, despite being a strong Christian nation.
He said: “Lately, a lot of things are being churned out in the social media. As Christians, we often make reference to a Bible verse that states, “who is he that speaketh when the Lord has not Spoken”?. Unfortunately, people speak now ahead of God. So, we have to leave the things we do not understand to God and ask for his understanding and guidance.
“I will continue to say this. In some states, we have Christians as governor and deputy, we also have Muslims as governor and deputy in some other states. But very important is the fact that same-faith, either Christian-Christian or Muslim -Muslim, has never determine the development of any State in Nigeria.
“Many times I wish my tenure in office be terminated abruptly, because when you really serve God by serving the people, you find out that when you get criticisms and bashes, you ask yourself, does it worth it?. My state, Ebonyi, has grown and developed greatly under a Muslim President, Muhammadu Buhari, more than it has ever grew under a Christian President.
“It’s God that determines the fate of men, and does what he wants at any time without permission from human. We believe in our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. We came from same constituency, business constituency. And Christian brothers would attest to what God has done in Ebonyi state over this period. I have enjoyed tremendous favour and support under President Buhari.”
He insisted that APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, has the capacity to continue the good works of the President, being a business man. “I am a businessman too. It’s all about the state of our nation, who can reposition the country for good. So, it’s important we question the past records of people vying for different political offices in the forthcoming general elections.
“Being a devoted Christian and member of APC, I stand to assure CAN and entire Christian communities that when Tinubu becomes the President, we would ensure that all the fears of our detractors never come to be.”