Strengthening Bonds: What Vice President Shettima Did Not Know When He Visited Taraba

Beyond the public displays of camaraderie and the official ceremonies, deeper connections were being forged—bonds that went unnoticed even by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

It was Saturday the 24th of August 2024, the PDP Governors Forum had just concluded their meeting in Jalingo, Taraba State. Eyes, minds, and hearts were then beamed in the direction of the union between Barr. Keziah Kefas, daughter of the shining star in the North East, Taraba state Governor Dr.Agbu Kefas, and her heartthrob Bitrus Habu Jnr.

That day, His Excellency the Vice President had two important engagements. First, he was slated to attend the wedding of Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s Son in Lagos, before coming “home” to Taraba. The event was packed with high-profile attendees, including former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, the Acting National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, and the Governors of Plateau, Delta, Kogi, Rivers, Osun, Edo, Bauchi, Adamawa, and Borno. Also present were members of the National Assembly, diplomatic corps, and other notable dignitaries.

His Excellency Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima, now in Jalingo was about to stand up for his remark. The groom and I had already anticipated two things. His double tap handshake and his famous quote on “what binds us together is more than what divides us”. His Excellency did not disappoint us. In his remark, he acknowledged guests, and made jokes about the Delta State Governor, to our delight. He then emphatically stressed the civilizing mission of Governor Kefas in Taraba State, both human and capital development. He relished seeing former Guber aspirant, Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha sitting at the same table with Governor Kefas.

Vice President Kashim was widely misrepresented during the build-up to the 2023 General Elections as one who never smiled but what we witnessed was the Vice President in his full element. Immediately after his remarks, time for our anticipated double-tap presidential handshake. He walked up to us sitting on the podium with a contagious smile. He whispered congratulations to the new couple and did not fail to tap the bald groom on the head, a symbol of blessing where we come from. I was not left out, standing before us was a man whose political journey spoke of discipline, loyalty, and courage.

What Vice President Kashim Shettima didn’t realize was how much Taraba was longing for his visit—a chance for a presidential figure to truly see and understand the state. When he finally arrived, he fulfilled that need perfectly.

Another thing he didn’t realize was that by wearing green, he had unknowingly chosen the color we had designated for Friends of the Groom. Without knowing it, he became one of us. He also didn’t know that we shared his struggles and understood the challenges of leadership.

The key takeaway from the encounter is that Nigeria needs dedicated leaders like Sen. Kashim Shettima, who are committed to building a more united and prosperous nation under the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This event marked a significant moment in the history of Taraba State, the North-East, and Nigeria as a whole.

– Musa-Jalingo, a policy and strategy analyst, writes from Jalingo, Taraba State