Vice President Kashim Shettima says only six of the 19 northern governors believed in and supported Tinubu’s 2023 presidential ambition.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that only six of the 19 northern governors supported President Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambition during the 2023 general election.
Shettima made the disclosure on Wednesday at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, during the turbaning of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate.
The Vice President recalled the intense political opposition that preceded the 2023 presidential campaign and election, saying it required considerable determination for Tinubu to continue pursuing his ambition.
He said several obstacles were placed in Tinubu’s path in an attempt to frustrate his presidential bid.
“You all know that we have 19 states in the North. Out of these, only six actually believed and supported Tinubu, but Tinubu refused to be deterred. He was able to cross the road,” Shettima said.
He also recalled a slogan used during the period, saying: “Then, the slogan was: ‘Baba bayan sushi’ (Buhari said he didn’t like him). Even with all this, Tinubu went ahead with his ambition.”
Shettima compared Tinubu’s political resilience with that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he described as someone who resisted attempts to pressure him during political negotiations.
“Just like former President Muhammadu Buhari; Buhari would call your bluff and send you away once you try to arm-twist him in any political negotiation,” he said.
The Vice President, however, urged Nigerian politicians not to treat politics as a life-or-death contest, stressing the importance of reconciliation after elections.
“After the 2023 election, President Tinubu hugged and forgave all other northern governors that did not support him. That is a mark of a good leader,” he said.
Shettima consequently urged politicians in Kwara State to close ranks after the All Progressives Congress primaries and emulate what he described as Tinubu’s willingness to reconcile with political opponents.
He also spoke about the economic challenges faced by the Tinubu administration on assuming office, saying the Federal Government inherited about $3.9 billion but remained determined to pursue its economic programme.
According to him, the administration’s economic team pressed ahead with efforts to turn the economy around despite the difficult circumstances, insisting that Nigeria was better for those measures.
Earlier, Shettima inaugurated the Kwara Revenue House on Ahmadu Bello Way and the Kwara Garment Factory in Ilorin as part of his visit to the state.
The turbaning ceremony saw the Emir of Ilorin confer the title of Sardauna of Ilorin on AbdulRazaq, who is also Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. President Tinubu had earlier described the traditional title as recognition of the governor’s leadership, public service and contributions to the development of Kwara State.