Shettima Reveals Northern Governors Who Supported Tinubu In 2023

Vice President Kashim Shettima has disclosed that out of the 19 northern state governors, only six actively backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential campaign during the 2023 general elections.

Speaking on Wednesday at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, during the turbaning of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate, Shettima noted that the intense political opposition did not deter Tinubu from reaching his goal.

Reflecting on the hostile political environment ahead of the 2023 presidential race, Shettima recalled the hurdles placed in their path.

You all know that we have 19 states in the North. Out of these, only six actually believed and supported Tinubu. Apart from Former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger, seated here, and Malam Abdurrahman AbdulRazaq… to avoid controversy, I will stop naming the names of the other governors. But the governors that were supporting President Tinubu in the North were not more than six. However, Tinubu refused to be deterred. He was able to cross the road, the Vice President stated.

Shettima urged politicians preparing for future political cycles to draw valuable lessons from the experience, advising against allowing political rivalries to create permanent enmities.

He specifically called on Kwara State politicians to embrace reconciliation following the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections. Pointing to President Tinubu’s post-election conduct, he noted how the President reconciled with those who resisted his election bid.

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, he remarked.

Admonishing political officeholders to maintain humility, Shettima reminded leaders that public appointments are temporary and dictated by divine will.

Power is given by God to the people He so wishes and not because they are better than other people, Shettima said.

Addressing national economic concerns, the Vice President defended the administration’s policy decisions, stating that the government chose proactive reforms over assigning blame for inherited financial strain.

He revealed that the administration met roughly $3.9 billion in foreign reserves upon assumption of office, but Tinubu instructed his economic team to press ahead with structural economic reforms.

Shettima also praised the Emir of Ilorin for bestowing the prestigious Sardauna title on Governor AbdulRazaq, praising the governor’s infrastructure achievements and strong working relationship with the federal government.