By The All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently under fire on social media after the party reportedly hired some Catholic bishops to grace the formal presentation of Senator Kashim Shettima as its vice-presidential candidate.
On July 10, the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu named Shettima, a former Borno State governor, as his running mate for the 2023 elections.
The decision of the ruling party to settle for a Muslim-Muslim ticket has since attracted widespread criticisms from Nigerians. Tinubu had, however, defended the move, arguing that the choice of his running mate was based on competence.
Amid the mixed reactions trailing the same-faith ticket, Shettima was officially unveiled at an event which took place on Wednesday at the Shehu Musa Yar’adu Centre in Abuja.
In a rather interesting development, some Catholic bishops were sighted at the venue, as some unconfirmed reports suggest that they were hired to attend the event to paint the picture that the Christian community embraced the Tinubu-Shettima candidacy.
The pictures of the clergymen which surfaced on popular microblogging platform, Twitter have sparked outrage from Nigerians, especially Christians who insisted that the bishops were fake and knocked the APC for disrespecting their faith.
@Chude__ wrote, “APC have spit on the face of Nigeria Christian community, from the Muslim-Muslim ticket to hiring escapees from Kuje Prison to represent Christian Bishops at the Unveiling of their VP. Does Christians still have any respect in this country?”
“Not to castigate Islam as a religion, but we know all hell will be let loose if a Christian ever tries to guise as a Moslem. They take us for a joke, now they rub it in our faces. Yet, some of you are diehard supporters of BAT. Again, where is your conscience?,” @unclemidetush said.
@AriyoAristotle noted, “The people who went these terrible miles to pervert inclusion, would do anything to undermine the Christian faith. This is why Nigerians must think twice before casting their ballots. It is a dangerous game playing out.”
For @DunswortGabriel, “This disrespectful behavior can never be permitted by adherents of the Islam anywhere in the world If you micmic their clerics like this just be sure to be beaten to death and burnt at the spot by Islamic religious extremist. They just keep abusing the tolerance of Christians.”
“Everything about Tinubu and his party is shrouded in propaganda, lies, and distortion. Choosing a Muslim/Muslim ticket is a slap on Christians. Impersonating Christianity to this level is not only deceitful but also criminal. Shame on Tinubu for this outright deceit,” @VillageParrot said.
