Shettima Clarifies Remarks on Northern Governors' Support for Tinubu

Vice President Kashim Shettima revealed that only six of 19 northern governors supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's presidential bid during a visit to Ilorin on Wednesday. Speaking at the turbanning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate, Shettima stated that Tinubu faced significant opposition and a political climate complicated by the belief that former President Muhammadu Buhari did not support his ambition. He identified Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger and Governor AbdulRazaq as supporters but declined to name the other four to avoid controversy.

Shettima praised Tinubu's political maturity for forgiving those who opposed him and used the occasion to urge politicians in Kwara State to reconcile following All Progressives Congress primaries. During the visit, he also defended the administration's economic reforms, claiming the government inherited a treasury of $3.9 billion and an economy on the verge of collapse. He further inaugurated a garment factory and the Kwara State Revenue House.

On Thursday, the Office of the Vice President issued a clarification via Senior Special Adviser Stanley Nkwocha. The office specified that Shettima's reference to the six governors pertained exclusively to political consultations and alignments preceding the APC presidential primary in June 2022. The statement emphasized that northern APC governors rallied around Tinubu after he became the party's candidate and contributed to his 2023 victory. Shettima expressed regret for any misinterpretation of his remarks.