The Chairman of the Borno State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Mohammed Naga, has disowned a report that he was in support of the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress for the 2023 presidential election.
The CAN Chairman spoke in reaction to a report that he hailed the party’s running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.
The Eagle Online recalls that the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Sunday named Shettima as his running mate.
On Monday, a report quoting Naga as hailing the decision to name Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate emerged.
In the report, Bishop Naga was quoted as haviong said the Christian community in Borno State has never had a better deal than under Shettima as Governor between 2011 and 2019.
Naga, who described Shettima as a compassionate leader, said: “In the history of Borno State, there is no governor who 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 the 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 the Government or any institution, but the facts need to be told.
“This governor has shown compassion to the Christian Community.”
However, reacting to the report, Naga said the report that was quoted was an interview he granted on April 3, 2017, wondering why it was made to look like an interview he granted on July 11, 2023.
He said “I granted no interview to anybody on Monday, 11th July, 2022.
“It was a mischievous propaganda, seeking cheap popularity on my character.”
Bishop Naga said the CAN would meet on Tuesday (today) on the development.