Shettima: Only Six Northern Governors Backed Tinubu in 2023

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said only six of the 19 northern state governors supported President Bola Tinubu’s presidential bid during the 2023 election. He made the disclosure on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate.

Shettima said the political environment surrounding Tinubu’s 2023 campaign was highly contested, with several obstacles placed in the way of his presidential ambition. Despite the limited support among northern governors, he said Tinubu remained determined to pursue the contest.

The Vice-President identified former Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and AbdulRazaq among those who supported Tinubu, but declined to name the other governors, saying he wanted to avoid controversy.

Shettima used the experience to urge politicians to avoid allowing electoral disagreements to permanently damage political relationships. He particularly appealed to politicians in Kwara State to reconcile after the APC primaries, regardless of who emerges from the contest.

He cited Tinubu’s conduct after the 2023 election, saying the President reached out to northern governors who had not supported his presidential bid. Shettima described the reconciliation as an example for politicians to follow after political contests.

The Vice-President also urged public officials to approach political office with humility, noting that political positions are temporary. He said those entrusted with power should focus on serving citizens rather than viewing office as evidence of superiority.

Shettima also defended the Federal Government’s handling of the country’s economic challenges. He said the administration inherited difficult economic circumstances and chose to pursue reforms rather than focus on blaming its predecessor. He put the amount inherited in government coffers at about $3.9 billion.

The Vice-President made the remarks while attending the ceremony honouring AbdulRazaq with the Sardauna title. He also inaugurated the Kwara State Revenue House and a garment factory in Ilorin as part of his activities in the state.

The ceremony attracted several governors, traditional rulers and senior government officials, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Niger State Governor Umar Bago and the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli.