Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged politicians in Kwara State to put political differences behind them after elections, citing President Bola Tinubu’s decision to forgive northern governors who opposed his presidential bid in the 2023 election.
Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Ilorin during the turbaning of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
Speaking against the backdrop of political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Vice President appealed to politicians to see political contests as temporary and avoid allowing disagreements arising from them to become lasting divisions.
“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.
He recalled the 2023 presidential election, saying Tinubu faced limited support from governors in the northern region but remained committed to his 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 narrative at the time that former President Muhammadu Buhari was not backing Tinubu’s presidential ambition, citing the slogan, “Baba bayan sunshi,” which he said was used to suggest that Buhari did not want Tinubu to succeed him.
According to him, Tinubu nevertheless continued his campaign, eventually won the election and later reconciled with 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 said.
Shettima’s appeal comes amid disagreements within the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress over the party’s governorship primary, with some aggrieved aspirants and their supporters forming a group known as the G-15.
He urged politicians involved in the current political contests in the state to emulate what he described as Tinubu’s approach to reconciliation once the contests were concluded.
The Vice President also reminded public office holders that political power was temporary and should be exercised with humility and a sense of responsibility.
“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 added that occupying political office was not necessarily a reflection of superior pedigree, intellect or ability, but 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 stated.
The Vice President also praised Tinubu’s handling of the economic challenges inherited by his administration, saying the President chose to confront the situation rather than focus on blaming the previous government.
He said the administration inherited an economy facing serious challenges and that its economic team had continued working to stabilise the situation.
“The economic team forged ahead to turn the economy around; today, Nigeria is better for it,” Shettima said.
He described Tinubu as a decent leader who had confidence in those working with him, adding that he was pleased to serve as the President’s deputy.
Shettima also commended the Emir of Ilorin for conferring the Sardauna title on AbdulRazaq, saying the governor’s father had left an enduring legacy in the Ilorin Emirate and beyond.
He said the conferment would further strengthen the relationship between the governor’s family and the emirate, while urging AbdulRazaq to continue contributing to the development of Kwara State.
Earlier, the Vice President inaugurated the state’s Revenue House on Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin, as well as a garment factory in the state capital.
