20th October, 2015
GBENRO ADESINA/IBADAN
The ministerial nominee from Oyo State, Barrister Adebayo Shittu distanced himself from religious fanaticism while he was being screened by the Senate on Tuesday.
Barrister Shittu, a candidate from Oyo State was the former commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state.
Prior to the screening, a source from the National Assembly disclosed that Shittu will not be dropped for anybody, stressing that he has been slated for screening.
In a short telephone interview, Shittu said, “As I speak with you Mr. TheNEWS Magazine, I am in the National Assembly. I can assure you that very soon, I will be called in for screening. As a matter of fact, I will be the first to be screened. I believe strongly in God. It is God that makes and unmakes. If God says that I will be a minister in this country, I will be a minister. “
As at the time of filing this report, the confirmation is yet to be done but there are strong indications that the nominee would be confirmed.
Shitttu, while responding to a question on Boko Haram on the floor of the Senate, said: “I am surprised that Northern leaders have been unfairly blamed that they are not speaking against Boko Haram. It is difficult for anybody that wants to live to comment on these faceless elements. If Boko Haram claim to be Muslims, what they are doing is not Islamic. It is wrong to kill anybody unjustly. It is wrong to kill who has not been judicially tried and found guilty. If you are a Christian and you are visiting Babalawo, you are not a Christian and if you are a Muslim and you are killing, you are not a Muslim. I don’t want to say more than that because I still have a family to take care of and I still want to live.”
He said that if he eventually becomes a minister, he would bring all his experience to bear in ensuring that the change the nation desires becomes a reality. He said that he would loyally work with President Muhamadu Buahari to transform Nigeria for the better as well as ensuring that the country occupied its position among the comity of nation.
Reacting to a question from a senator about being indicted over religious crisis in Oyo State, he said that no panel has ever indicted over any religious crisis.
His said: “I have never been indicted of causing any religious crisis. There is a gazette about religious crisis in Oyo State in 2000 which I have. I was not among those invited. Secondly, I was not acuse of anything. I have written seven standard books and many pamphlets describing Nigeria as a country of religion and not good moral. Every Friday, we see Muslims going to Mosques and every Sunday, we see Christians going to Church and we still find it very difficult to be committed to moral. I abide by the faith of morality. I urge Nigerians to be morally sound.”
The nominee who described himself as a bridge builder disclosed that he is not a fanatic and a religious bigot, pointing out that “My secretary in my chamber is a Christian, a born-again Christian. We have been working together for a very long time and she types all my documents. I enjoy working with her and we are like family members. If appointed, I will ensure unity among all sects in Nigeria. That is me.”
Shuttu further promised that should the president make him the minister of Justice, he would ensure that the Criminal Administration Act recently promulgated by the Federal Government is implemented to the letter.
Among other things he spoke about is tourism and culture which he said he would promote if he found himself in the ministry, adding that he would advocate for the engagement of youths in the country.
“Youths are our strength and we cannot afford to neglect them. I will and continue to advocate for youths. I am very close to the youths and I love them all.”