Shettima Makes U-turn, Says My ‘Six Northern Governors’ Comment Was About 2022 Primary

Vice President Kashim Shettima has clarified his recent remarks concerning the support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received from northern governors ahead of his emergence as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Shettima explained that his reference to six northern governors who believed in and supported Tinubu was specifically about political consultations and alignments that took place before the APC presidential primary held in June 2022.

The Vice President said the comment was not a reference to the position of northern APC governors after Tinubu emerged as the party’s presidential candidate, nor was it intended to question their support for the President during the 2023 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said northern APC governors rallied around Tinubu following the presidential primary.

According to the statement, the governors played important roles in the APC campaign and electoral efforts that culminated in Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 general election.

“Following the presidential primary, APC governors in the North rallied around the party’s candidate and played important roles in the campaign and electoral efforts that culminated in President Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 general election,” the statement said.

Shettima also expressed his regard for the northern governors and other APC leaders, acknowledging their individual and collective contributions to the party’s success and Tinubu’s emergence as President.

The Vice President regretted any interpretation of his remarks that may have suggested otherwise, saying the clarification was intended to place his comments in their proper context.

The statement added that Shettima appreciated the Nigerian media for its longstanding professionalism and constructive engagement with his office.

He urged the media to maintain accuracy and provide proper context when reporting public remarks, particularly as the country approaches another political season.