Vice-President Kashim Shettima says only six of the 19 northern governors supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential bid during the 2023 election, describing the political environment at the time as particularly challenging.
Shettima made the disclosure in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
Reflecting on Tinubu’s journey to the presidency, the Vice-President said the President faced considerable opposition and political obstacles in the North but remained committed to his ambition.
Shettima identified former Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq among the six northern governors who supported Tinubu, but declined to disclose the identities of the remaining four, citing the need to avoid controversy.
The Vice-President also urged politicians to separate electoral contests from lasting political relationships, calling for reconciliation after party primaries and elections.
He pointed to Tinubu’s post-election engagement with northern political leaders as an example, saying politicians should be prepared to work together once electoral contests are over.
Turning to the economy, Shettima said the Tinubu administration inherited about 3.9 billion dollars in government reserves and chose to confront the economic difficulties it encountered rather than remain focused on assigning blame.
He urged politicians in Kwara to maintain unity after the forthcoming All Progressives Congress, APC, primaries and place the interests of the state above political disagreements.
Earlier, the Vice-President inaugurated the Kwara State Revenue House on Ahmadu Bello Way and a garment factory in Ilorin, with the factory designed to provide employment opportunities at full production capacity.
