LIVE UPDATES
Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, has issued an apology for requesting that the 10th National Assembly pick a Christian senator as its president.
Shettima stated this in the run-up to the election: "Under the current dispensation, the worst incompetent Southern Christian is better than the most puritanical Northern Muslim for the Presidency of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
His remarks sparked uproar and sparked debate, particularly on social media and within the Muslim community.
Shettima argued that his remarks were misunderstood and that he did not want to disparage his faith while speaking to BBC Hausa.
"The remark I made was for the benefit of Nigeria, but it was misunderstood," he remarked. I got classified intelligence reports that should not be made public.
"I really didn't intend to hurt anyone or the Islamic faith in any way. I do, however, ask the community and my Lord for forgiveness since I am a flawed human being. Given that I am a devoted Muslim and that my family has diligently followed the way of Islam for more than 1,400 years, I promise that I will never use such terms again.
"I apologize to anyone who was offended by my comments since I never intended to belittle any faith."
The Christian senator from Akwa-Ibom North-West named Godswill Akpabio has since then been elected as Senate President.
