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 elections.
Shettima made the disclosure on Wednesday at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, during the turbanning of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate.
According to the Vice President, the political atmosphere surrounding Tinubu’s presidential campaign and the 2023 election was marked by significant opposition, but the President remained determined to pursue his ambition.
Shettima said several obstacles were placed in Tinubu’s way in an attempt to frustrate his political aspirations.
“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.
“Then, the slogan was: “Baba bayan sushi” (Buhari said he didn’t like him). Even with all this, Tinubu went ahead with his ambition, 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.”
Shettima, however, called on politicians to avoid treating political contests as permanent conflicts, stressing the importance of reconciliation after elections.
He cited Tinubu’s conduct following the 2023 presidential election as an example, saying:
“After the 2023 elections, 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 also appealed to politicians in Kwara State to reconcile and work together after the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries.
Shettima urged them to emulate what he described as Tinubu’s willingness to reconcile with political opponents in pursuing their political objectives.
Earlier, the Vice President inaugurated the Kwara State Revenue House and a garment factory, both located in Ilorin, the state capital.
