Vice President Kashim Shettima has praised President Bola Tinubu’s political magnanimity, revealing that the President chose to forgive and embrace northern governors who opposed his 2023 presidential ambition.
Shettima described the gesture as a defining characteristic of exceptional leadership.
Speaking on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin by the Emir, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Vice President reflected on the turbulent build-up to the 2023 general elections.
He noted that out of the 19 northern states, only six actively backed Tinubu’s candidacy.
Shettima also recalled the prevailing political skepticism of that era, including narratives suggesting a lack of support from former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Despite confronting stiff regional opposition and skeptical political slogans, he noted that Tinubu remained undeterred on his path to victory.
Shifting focus to the political horizon ahead of 2027, Shettima urged political actors across the country to eschew bitterness and division.
He emphasized that electoral contests should not permanently fracture relationships or hinder national progress, stating that political disagreements must remain temporary.
Concluding his address, the Vice President called on politicians in Kwara State and nationwide to draw valuable lessons from the President’s reconciliation efforts.
He advocated for a culture of unity, urging leaders to put partisan differences aside immediately after elections to prioritize collective development.
