Atiku Ran To Tinubu With Tail Between His Legs After PDP Chased Him Out– Shettima

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has recalled how President Bola Tinubu supported former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition in 2007 after he was chased out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Shettima said Tinubu had consistently supported northern politicians seeking the presidency, citing Atiku, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the late President Muhammadu Buhari as examples.

The Vice-President stated this on Saturday at the APC presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna, while highlighting Tinubu’s political relationship with the North ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to Shettima, Tinubu provided Atiku with political backing and a platform to contest the presidency in 2007 after the former Vice-President left the PDP amid a political dispute.

He said, “It is pertinent to mention that when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was harassed and chased out of the PDP, with his tail between his legs, he ran to the Lion of Bourdillon[Tinubu], who gave him political support and a platform to contest for the presidency of this country in 2007.”

Shettima also cited Tinubu’s support for Ribadu, during the 2011 presidential election.

“Again in 2011, President Tinubu supported another northern man, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, to contest for the presidency of this country,” he said.

The Vice-President further recalled Tinubu’s role in Buhari’s presidential campaigns, saying the President stood firmly behind the late former President during the 2015 and 2019 elections.

“And you can bear witness that in 2015 and 2019, President Tinubu stood solidly behind the late President Muhammadu Buhari, that secured him peace and second-term victory,” Shettima said.

He urged Nigerians to consider Tinubu’s political history and his relationship with northern leaders when assessing his administration and his bid for re-election in 2027.