Vice President Kashim Shettima has praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as political maturity after the President forgave some northern governors who did not support his presidential bid during the 2023 election.
Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of the Ilorin Emirate by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
The Vice President used the occasion to appeal for unity among politicians in Kwara State as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify.
Shettima urged politicians to treat elections as temporary contests and ensure that political disagreements do not permanently damage relationships.
Recalling the 2023 presidential election, the Vice President said Tinubu did not receive the support of most northern governors at the time.
He stated that only six of the 19 northern states had governors who supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition, but the situation did not discourage him from pursuing his campaign.
Shettima said, “I call on all of us to unite in this political season and play politics without bitterness. The truth that sets us free is also the truth that people don’t want to hear.”
He added, “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.”
According to the Vice President, Tinubu demonstrated leadership after winning the election by reconciling with governors who had opposed his candidacy.
“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,” Shettima said.
He encouraged public office holders and political actors to maintain relationships beyond their time in government, noting that political positions are temporary.
“As public office holders, we spend more of our lives outside public offices than we do in public offices. Let us embrace each other, let us have the courage to serve with humility,” he said.
Shettima also said political office should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a product of personal pedigree, intellect or ability.
He added that the factors that unite Nigerians should take precedence over their differences.
“We are in power not because of our pedigree, intellect, ability or physical build, but by destiny. What brings us together supersedes what separates us,” the Vice President said.
Shettima further highlighted the efforts of the administration’s economic team, saying its policies were aimed at improving the country’s economic situation.
“The economic team forged ahead to turn the economy around; today, Nigeria is better for it,” he added.
