Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that only six of the 19 northern governors supported President Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambition during the 2023 election, claiming that Tinubu later embraced and forgave those who had opposed his bid.
Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate. Against the backdrop of political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, the Vice President urged politicians to avoid allowing electoral disagreements to become permanent divisions.
Kashim Shettima Reveals Limited Northern Support for Tinubu
Kashim Shettima said the political environment surrounding Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign was challenging, particularly in the North, where he claimed only six of the region’s 19 governors actually believed in and supported Tinubu.
The Vice President did not identify all six governors, although he mentioned former Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq among those who supported Tinubu. He said Tinubu remained determined despite the limited gubernatorial backing and eventually won the presidential election.
The 2023 presidential election was officially won by Tinubu, who polled 8,794,726 votes, ahead of Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. The result was subsequently challenged in court, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the major opposition petitions in September 2023.
Kashim Shettima Says Tinubu Chose Reconciliation
Kashim Shettima said Tinubu did not allow the political opposition he faced during the 2023 contest to permanently damage relationships with northern political leaders.
According to the Vice President, Tinubu later “hugged and forgave” northern governors who had not supported him, describing the action as a sign of good leadership. Shettima urged politicians in Kwara State to adopt a similar approach after their own political contests and reconcile regardless of who emerges victorious.
Shettima also reminded politicians that political power is temporary and called on public officials to exercise authority with humility and a sense of responsibility. His appeal comes amid internal disagreements within the Kwara chapter of the All Progressives Congress following its governorship primary.
For OGM News NG, Kashim Shettima’s revelation offers a glimpse into the political tensions surrounding the 2023 presidential contest while highlighting his call for reconciliation ahead of another major electoral cycle. As Nigeria moves toward 2027, the question of whether political rivals can turn election battles into lasting cooperation remains central to the country’s political landscape.
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