2027: Shettima implores Kwara’s political gladiators to forgive each other

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday appealed to politicians, especially political gladiators in Kwara State and elsewhere, to engage in politics without bitterness, warning that they will spend much of their lives outside public office.

He admonished “those who hold public offices should resolve to serve with conscience, humility and fear of God and also find the courage to forgive each other for the sake of posterity.

“As public office holders we spend more of our lives outside public offices than in public offices. Let us embrace one another, let us have the courage to serve with humility. We are in power not by our pedigree, intellectual ability or physical constitution, but by destiny. What unites us surpasses what separates us.”

“I invite all of us to unite in this political season and do politics without bitterness. The truth that has set us free is also the truth that people don’t want to hear,” he said.

Shettima spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during the official turbaning of the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as the Sardauna of Ilorin by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

His warning came amid infighting within the Kwara State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), arising out of the party’s governorship primary election with some aggrieved aspirants splintering into a group known as G-15.

Emphasizing that power is transitory and that Allah gives it to whom He wills, the Vice President recalled that of the 19 governors in the North, only 6, including Governor AbdulRahman, supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambition in 2023.

Shettima said the rumor going around then was that “Baba (Buhari) Bayan sunshi” (meaning Baba dosent wants him (Tinubu) as president).

Speaking further, Shettima said despite all odds, Tinubu overcame all obstacles and became president without hurting anyone, a courage, he said politicians must learn to demonstrate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Describing Tinubu as “a good person and leader” under whom he is happy to serve as his aide, Shettima implored political gladiators to emulate the President’s big heart.

The Turbaning ceremony witnessed a large turnout of dignitaries including the governors of Niger State, Umar Bago, Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, Katsina State, Umar Radda and Kebbi State.

Others are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Emir of Zazzau Emirate, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali and Ogbomoso’s son, Oba Afolabi Gandi Laoye 11,

The governors of Sokoto, Sokoto, Anambra, Nasarawa, Delta, Ondo and Oyo states were also represented by their delegates.