Vice President Kashim Shettima has said President Bola Tinubu demonstrated political maturity by forgiving northern governors who opposed his presidential ambition during the 2023 election.
Shettima made the statement on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
Speaking against the backdrop of preparations for the 2027 general elections, the Vice President urged politicians to avoid bitterness and ensure that political disagreements do not permanently divide them.
He called on political actors in Kwara State to learn from Tinubu’s approach by reconciling after political contests.
“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,” Shettima said.
The Vice President recalled that Tinubu faced significant opposition from political actors in the North during the 2023 presidential election.
According to Shettima, only six of the 19 northern states had governors who supported Tinubu at the time, but the opposition did not stop him from pursuing his presidential ambition.
“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,” he said.
Shettima also recalled the political atmosphere surrounding the 2023 election, including claims among some northern political actors that former President Muhammadu Buhari did not support Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
He referenced the slogan, “Baba bayan sunshi,” which he said was used at the time to suggest that Buhari did not want Tinubu to succeed him.
Despite the opposition, Shettima said Tinubu remained focused and eventually won the presidential election.
He added that after the election, Tinubu reached out to those who had opposed him.
“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,” the Vice President stated.
Shettima’s comments come amid political disagreements within the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress following the party’s governorship primary. Some aggrieved aspirants and their supporters have reportedly formed a group known as the G-15.
The Vice President urged politicians involved in the state’s political contests to remember that political power is temporary and should be exercised with humility and a commitment to public service.
“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 further stated that occupying political office should not be viewed as evidence of superior intelligence, pedigree or ability, but as an opportunity entrusted to individuals by God and the electorate.
“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,” he added.
The Vice President also praised the Tinubu administration’s handling of the economic challenges it inherited, saying the government chose to focus on addressing the problems rather than blaming its predecessor.
He said the administration inherited a difficult economic situation and that its economic team had continued working towards stabilising the economy.
“The economic team forged ahead to turn the economy around; today, Nigeria is better for it,” Shettima said.
Shettima described Tinubu as a decent leader who has confidence in members of his administration, adding that he was pleased to serve as the President’s deputy.
He also commended the Emir of Ilorin for conferring the Sardauna title on AbdulRazaq, noting the contributions of the governor’s father to the Ilorin Emirate and beyond.
He urged the Kwara governor to continue contributing to the development of the state and strengthening the relationship between his family and the Ilorin Emirate.
Earlier, Shettima inaugurated the Kwara State Revenue House on Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin, as well as a garment factory in the state capital.
