The Chairman of Borno State chapter of the Christians Association (CAN), Bishop Mohammed Naga has commended the selection of former governor of the state, Senator Kashim Shettima as the Vice Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2023 Election.
Mixed reactions have trailed the decision of APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, a Muslim, to pick Shettima, a Muslim too as his running mate.
According to Arise news, Bishop Naga in a statement released today July 11, said the Christian community in Borno State has never had a better deal than under Shettima who was at the helm in the state between 2011 and 2019.
“My brothers, those who are not from Borno State may not know, but you and I know better. In the history of Borno State, there is no Governor that has been fair to the Christian Community in this State as much as Governor Kashim Shettima. I am saying this in the presence of God Almighty and this is nothing but the truth. Governor Shettima, in the history of Borno, is the only Governor that has sponsored highest number of Christian Pilgrims every year since 2011.
I am speaking boldly without fear or favour because as CAN Chairman I do not receive salary or kobo from Government or any institution, but the facts need to be told. This Governor has shown compassion to the Christian Community.”
For example, when Gwoza people were driven from their ancestral homes, they fled to Maiduguri, and the Governor personally came to CAN Centre in Jerusalem ward two times in June and July 2014. He gave N10 million for their upkeep at first instance, but the victims were not many. By the end of October 2014, the IDPs from Gwoza increased to 42,000 in that camp alone. Governor Shettima came again and gave another N10 million.
He also gave additional N5 million for Christians from Borno who fled to Cameroon to be returned home.
He gave another N5 million for non-indigenes who fled to Cameroon to come back to Nigeria.”
