Vice President Kashim Shettima has defended President Bola Tinubu’s leadership approach, stating that history will remember the President for making difficult but essential decisions to transform Nigeria’s economic landscape.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, Shettima praised Tinubu as a leader with exceptional political courage and the determination to implement bold reforms. The Vice President emphasized that Tinubu possesses unique qualities that make him well-suited to lead Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Shettima highlighted the President’s business acumen and understanding of economic complexities, describing him as someone who “grew up in the same ecosystem” and “speaks the language of business and commerce.” He stressed that Tinubu’s background provides him with the necessary insight to navigate Nigeria’s economic challenges while having the political will to make tough decisions.
The Vice President reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to economic diversification, noting that the President has consistently pursued reforms designed to deliver sustainable long-term benefits for the country. He pointed to Tinubu’s recent visit to Brazil as evidence of this commitment, which resulted in the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding covering critical sectors including aviation, foreign affairs, science and technology, and agriculture.
According to Shettima, these international agreements represent “deliberate and intentional steps by the President in diversifying the nation’s economy,” demonstrating the administration’s strategic approach to building partnerships that will benefit Nigeria’s development goals.
In another development, Shettima revealed that the Federal Government is exploring the creation of a specialized task team focused on developing a comprehensive framework to standardize Nigeria’s architectural landscape. This initiative aims to promote quality architecture nationwide as part of broader sustainable development efforts.
However, the administration faces criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party, which has condemned President Tinubu’s frequent international travels. The criticism intensified following the Presidency’s announcement that Tinubu would embark on a 10-day vacation to Europe, as confirmed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
PDP Deputy Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor expressed strong disapproval of what he termed unnecessary overseas trips, arguing that taxpayers’ money is being wasted. He suggested that the President’s frequent travels abroad reflect a lack of confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system and called on Tinubu to reconsider seeking re-election while urging Nigerians to reject both the President and the All Progressives Congress in future elections.
