A former Special Adviser to former President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, says his principal is not a bigot.

This is as he narrated how Buhari called the name ‘Jesus’ when his Vice, Yemi Osinbajo, survived a helicopter crash.

Recall that Osinbajo escaped death in February 2019 as his helicopter crash-landed in Kogi state.

Adesina cited the former president as saying “Jesus was not far away, he saved you”, when congratulating the then Vice President.

This is contained in his book titled, ‘Working with Buhari: Reflections of A Special Adviser, Media, and Publicity (2015-2023)’.

According to the former presidential spokesperson, Buhari said is far from the bigot most perceive him to be.

He wrote: “Bigot? I hear. Our first Christmas in government. December 2015. I wanted to spend the season in Lagos. And I asked him for permission.

“By all means, he answered. I know the Vice President, yourself, and some others are church people. Please go. Spend Christmas and New Year with your families.

“When you now come back, me too I will go for a few days. And he laughed. Bigot? They never want to hear of Christmas. Since 2015, he would give all Christians working with him time off every Easter and Christmas. I like that kind of bigotry.

“When the Foursquare Gospel Church turned 60 years in Nigeria. I told the President, and he gladly agreed to meet with the leadership. He did. Bigot? Please tell me another story.

“The Vice President survived an helicopter crash in 2019. The President publicly rejoiced with him, and then at the next Federal Executive Council meeting, he congratulated the VP again.

“Jocularly, he said: ‘I can imagine that when the chopper crashed with a bang, VP as a pastor must have shouted, Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! And fortunately, Jesus was not far away, so He saved him’.

“We all laughed. But one instructive lesson. Bigots don’t like Jesus. They never want to hear His name, or attribute anything miraculous to Him.” (Daily Trust)

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