How 13 Northern Governors Worked Against Tinubu In 2023 – Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday disclosed how 13 northern governors did not  support  the presidential ambition of  Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023.

Shettima disclosed this at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, during the turbaning of the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate.

He said only six of the 19 northern governors supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition in 2023.

Shettima said that many obstacles were placed in Tinubu’s path to frustrate his focus.

He added that the tension that heralded the 2023 Presidential campaign and the election proper was so daring that it could only take a determined politician with a strong heart to continue pursuing his ambition.

Shettima recalled that: “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.

“Then, the slogan was: “baba bayan sushi,” (Buhari said he didn’t like him.) Even with all this, Tinubu went ahead with his ambition.”

“Just like former president Muhammadu Buhari, Buhari would call your bluff and send you away once you try to arm-twist him in any political negotiation.”

The vice president urged Nigerian politicians not to see politics as a game of death but to always reconcile after each contest.

He noted that, “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.”

Shettima also urged Kwara politicians to close ranks after the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, urging them to emulate President Tinubu’s large heart in all political matters.

He said that Tinubu, as a sound politician, takes after former president Muhammadu Buhari, who never allowed ambitious individuals to upstage or hold him to ransom in political negotiations.

Shettima hinted that the federal government inherited 3.9billion dollars in the kitty, but refused to be discouraged, adding that “the economic team forged ahead to turn the economy around, today, Nigeria is better for it.”

Shettima had earlier inaugurated the state’s Revenue House on Ahmadu Bello Way and the Garment Factory, both in Ilorin, the state capital.