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Senator Kashim Shettima, right, being honoured by Borno Indigenes Forum, Abuja
By Ibraheem Hamza Muhammad
The vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Kashim Shettima has disclosed that Nigeria stands to benefit enormously from its diversities if tolerance and unity are optimally held as virtues.
He made the disclosure at a reception in his honour by the Borno Indigenes Forum Abuja, (BIFA) on Sunday in Abuja.
According to him, “I am proud that the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu/ Kashim Shettima Presdential Campaign Team has refused to treat any Nigerian as an outsider because of the village in which he or she was born.
“We refuse to attack our citizens because of the architecture of their places of worship. We refuse to grade our citizens based on the prominence of their ethnic group. We refuse to make our politics a chamber for waging wars. This is the Nigeria we must work together to build.
“If you intend to see where the truth goes to die in Nigeria, then don’t look too far away from the electronic exchanges on social media. Most of the falsehoods dispensed are, unfortunately, carefully-coordinated attacks by agents of those running for the highest office in the country.”
“We know the consequences of treating others as different from us or lesser than us. We know we are from various ethnic, religious, and racial groups bound by a common destiny. We know that Borno remains standing amidst a wave of attacks on our lives and properties because of this refusal to let go of what defines us, that we are bound by the same humanity.
“The darkest irony in our politics today is the sponsorship of hate campaigns by front-line political candidates against an opposing group in the very country they are asking to govern. I expect you to be the voice of reason in teaching conflict profiteers in our midst about the enduring bond we share. We would’ve been long overrun if we had paid mind to any politician who invests in divisions, the ones who’ve seen and experienced the devastation of violence firsthand”. Said Senator Kashim Shettima Mustapha
Chairman of the Borno Indigenes Forum Abuja (BIFA) was represented by Alh Mohammed Lamba, Treasurer of the Forum.
Prominent Borno State indigenes who graced the event included Ibrahim Bunu, Alh. Musa Saleh, Alh. Baba Shehu Shettima, Alh Musa Kachalla, Alh Mohammed Lamba and Alh Kashim Imam.
Others included Hon. Babagana Modu, Mr. James Balami Shettima, Umar Abba Gana, Amb.Toko Ali Gongulong, Amb. Lawan Abba Gashigar and Engr Idi Saje.
