Centre LLI Demands Apology from Baba-Ahmed Over Remarks

The Centre for Leadership Legacy International (Centre LLI) has condemned remarks made by Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, regarding Vice President Kashim Shettima. Baba-Ahmed claimed that Shettima refrains from wearing President Bola Tinubu’s signature cap due to advice from an Islamic spiritual adviser.

Centre LLI described these comments as “false and mischievous,” asserting that they improperly mixed religion with politics. In a statement issued on Thursday, signed by Executive Director Dr Abdul Hussein, the organization emphasized that wearing the cap is a personal choice and should not be seen as a mandatory display of political loyalty.

They criticized Baba-Ahmed for making unverified claims and urged political discourse to focus on governance and policies instead of personal or religious insinuations. Centre LLI called for Baba-Ahmed to withdraw his statement and apologize to Shettima and the Nigerian public for attempting to use religion for political gain.

They also advised media outlets to be cautious when covering politically sensitive statements involving religion.