Shettima urges Kwara politicians to reconcile after 2027 contests

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged politicians in Kwara State to put their differences aside after political contests, citing President Bola Tinubu’s decision to reconcile with northern governors who opposed his presidential bid in the 2023 election.

 

Shettima made the call on Wednesday in Ilorin during the turbanning of Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

 

Speaking against the backdrop of political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, the Vice President urged politicians to play politics without bitterness and avoid allowing electoral disagreements to become permanent divisions.

 

“I call on all of us to unite in this political season and play politics without bitterness. The truth that sets us free is also the truth that people don’t want to hear,” Shettima said.

 

He recalled that Tinubu faced opposition from several northern governors during the 2023 presidential election but remained focused on his ambition.

 

“You all know that we have 19 states in the North. Out of these, only six actually believed and supported Tinubu, but Tinubu refused to be deterred. He was able to cross the road,” he said.

 

Shettima said Tinubu subsequently reconciled with those who had opposed him after winning the election.

 

“After the 2023 election, President Tinubu hugged and forgave all other northern governors who did not support him. That is a mark of a good leader,” the Vice President said.

 

He urged politicians in Kwara, particularly those involved in the current political contests, to similarly reconcile after the elections.

 

His comments come amid disagreements within the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, following the party’s governorship primary, with some aggrieved aspirants and their supporters forming the G-15 group.

 

Shettima also reminded politicians that political power was temporary and urged public officeholders to serve with humility.

 

“As public officeholders, we spend more of our lives outside public offices than we do in public offices. Let us embrace each other, let us have the courage to serve with humility,” he said.

 

He added that political office should be viewed as an opportunity to serve rather than an indication of superior pedigree or ability.

 

“We are in power not because of our pedigree, intellect, ability or physical build, but by destiny. What brings us together supersedes what separates us,” Shettima stated.

 

The Vice President also praised the Tinubu administration’s handling of Nigeria’s economic challenges, saying the government had chosen to focus on addressing inherited problems rather than blaming previous administrations.

 

“The economic team forged ahead to turn the economy around; today, Nigeria is better for it,” he said.

 

Shettima further commended the Emir of Ilorin for conferring the Sardauna title on AbdulRazaq, highlighting the contributions of the governor’s late father, Alhaji AbdulGaniyu AbdulRazaq, SAN, to the Ilorin Emirate and Nigeria.

 

Earlier, the Vice President inaugurated the state’s Revenue House on Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin, and the garment factory in the state capital.

 

The garment factory has a stated capacity to employ 4,000 people when operating at full capacity.

 

Shettima also commended AbdulRazaq’s administration for projects covering education, healthcare and road infrastructure across Kwara State.