Key Takeaways
- Vice-President Kashim Shettima clarified his remarks concerning Northern governors' support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
- His initial comments about "six Northern governors" referred specifically to political consultations before the June 2022 APC presidential primary.
- Shettima affirmed that all Northern APC governors rallied strongly behind Tinubu following his emergence as the party's candidate.
- The Vice-President expressed regret for any misinterpretation and emphasized the governors' significant contributions to Tinubu's 2023 electoral victory.
- The clarification underscores the importance of party unity and accurate reporting in Nigeria's political landscape.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has moved swiftly to clarify his recent comments regarding the support of Northern governors for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aiming to dispel any misconceptions and reinforce the narrative of unwavering unity within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The clarification, issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, addresses remarks made at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, during the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Pre-Primary Alignments Clarified
Shettima's initial reference to "six Northern governors" who "believed in and supported President Tinubu" was specifically about political consultations and alignments preceding the APC presidential primary in June 2022. The Vice-President emphasized that his statement was "not a comment on the position of northern APC governors following President Tinubu’s emergence as the party’s candidate, nor was it intended to question their support during the 2023 presidential election." This crucial distinction highlights the intricate political maneuvering before the party's selection of its flagbearer.
This clarification is vital for maintaining cohesion within the APC. Northern governors played a pivotal role in shaping regional support during the primary process, and their subsequent unified front was instrumental in consolidating votes across a diverse electorate, proving critical to the party's success in the fiercely contested 2023 general election.
Northern Governors: Pillars of Victory and Call for Accurate Reporting
Shettima affirmed that "following the presidential primary, APC governors in the North rallied around the party’s candidate and played important roles in the campaign and electoral efforts that culminated in President Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 general election." This acknowledgment underscores the collective strength and strategic importance of the Northern political bloc within the APC. Stanley Nkwocha reiterated that Vice-President Shettima holds these governors and other APC leaders in high regard, recognizing their individual and collective contributions. Shettima conveyed his regret for "any interpretation of his remarks that may have suggested otherwise," hoping this clarification fosters continued trust among key party stakeholders. He also commended the Nigerian media for its "longstanding professionalism and constructive engagement," urging continued accuracy and context in reporting public remarks as the country approaches another political season.
Why This Matters
This clarification from Vice-President Shettima is significant as it reinforces the narrative of unity and collective purpose within the ruling APC, crucial for effective governance and party stability. By dispelling potential misunderstandings, it helps to prevent internal divisions and ensures that the focus remains on the administration's agenda rather than on perceived political rifts.