Vice President Kashim Shettima has recalled how President Bola Tinubu responded to Northern governors who, according to him, did not support Tinubu’s presidential ambition during the 2023 election.

Shettima said Tinubu chose to forgive the governors after the election, presenting the decision as an example of leadership and reconciliation.

Key Takeaways

• Kashim Shettima said Bola Tinubu forgave Northern governors who did not support his 2023 presidential bid.
• Shettima said only six of the 19 Northern states had governors who supported Tinubu at the time.
• He urged politicians to prevent electoral disagreements from permanently damaging their relationships.
• The Vice President made the remarks in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
• Shettima’s comments came as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to build.

What Shettima Said About Tinubu And The Northern Governors

According to Shettima, Tinubu faced limited support from governors in Northern Nigeria during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election.

The Vice President said that, of the 19 states in the North, only six had governors who believed in and supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition at the time.

Despite that situation, Shettima said Tinubu continued his campaign rather than allowing the lack of support to derail his bid.

Tinubu eventually won the 2023 presidential election and became Nigeria’s President.

The 2023 Political Context Behind Shettima’s Remarks

Shettima’s account focused not only on the support Tinubu received before the election but also on what happened after the contest ended.

He said Tinubu did not allow political differences from the election campaign to permanently define his relationship with governors who had backed other positions.

The Vice President described Tinubu’s response after the election as an example of political reconciliation.

Shettima’s Account Of Tinubu’s Response After The Election

Shettima said that after the 2023 election, Tinubu embraced and forgave the Northern governors who had not supported his presidential ambition.

He presented the decision as evidence of what he considers good leadership, arguing that public officials should understand that political office is temporary.

Shettima said:

“After the 2023 election, President Tinubu hugged and forgave all other northern governors that did not support him.”

He added that people in public office spend more of their lives outside political positions than inside them.

For Shettima, that reality makes it important for politicians to maintain relationships even when they disagree during elections.

Why The Vice President Is Calling For Political Unity

The Vice President made the appeal during an event in Ilorin, Kwara State, where Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was turbaned as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

Against the backdrop of increasing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, Shettima urged politicians in Kwara State to approach the political season without allowing rivalry to turn into lasting hostility.

He called on politicians to regard elections as temporary contests and to recognize that political disagreements should not destroy relationships beyond the election period.

Shettima also urged public officials to approach their responsibilities with humility.

His Message About Politics And Public Office

Shettima argued that political office should not become a reason for people to see themselves as permanently separated from one another.

He said political positions are temporary and that the relationships people build should extend beyond periods of electoral competition.

The Vice President also said that what brings Nigerians together is greater than the issues that separate them.

His appeal was therefore centred on political cooperation, unity and the need to maintain relationships despite differences during election campaigns.

What Shettima Said About The 2027 Political Season

Shettima’s remarks came as attention increasingly turns toward the 2027 general elections.

Rather than focusing solely on electoral competition, the Vice President used the occasion to urge politicians to avoid bitterness and preserve relationships after political contests.

He said:

“I call on all of us to unite in this political season and play politics without bitterness.”

His comments placed emphasis on how politicians conduct themselves during an increasingly active political period, particularly in relation to disagreements among political actors.

His Brief Reference To The Economy

Shettima also referred to the work of the government’s economic team during his remarks.

He said the economic team had continued working to turn the Nigerian economy around and stated that Nigeria was better for the effort.

That comment was part of his wider remarks at the event and was separate from his main discussion about political unity and Tinubu’s relationship with Northern governors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Shettima say about Tinubu and Northern governors?

Shettima said Tinubu forgave Northern governors who did not support his presidential ambition during the 2023 election.

How many Northern states did Shettima say supported Tinubu in 2023?

Shettima said six of the 19 Northern states had governors who supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition at the time.

Why did Shettima discuss Tinubu’s response to the governors?

He used the episode to illustrate his broader message that political disagreements should not permanently damage relationships between politicians.

Where did Shettima make the remarks?

The Vice President made the remarks in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate.

What was Shettima’s message ahead of 2027?

Shettima urged politicians to pursue political activities without bitterness and to maintain unity despite differences arising from electoral contests.

Conclusion

Shettima’s account of Tinubu’s relationship with Northern governors after the 2023 election was presented alongside a broader appeal for political unity.

As political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections develops, the Vice President urged politicians to treat electoral contests as temporary and avoid allowing political disagreements to permanently damage relationships.

His remarks also highlighted his view that public office is temporary and that political leaders should approach their responsibilities with humility.

What do you think about Shettima’s message on political reconciliation after elections? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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