Shettima Clarifies Remarks On Northern Governors Support For Tinubu In 2023

Vice President Kashim Shettima has clarified his recent comments that only six northern governors supported President Bola Tinubu, saying the remark referred specifically to political consultations and alignments before the All Progressives Congress presidential primary in June 2022.

Shettima had made the comment on Wednesday in Ilorin, where he said six of the 19 northern governors supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition. He identified former Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as two of them, but declined to name the others.

However, in a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President’s office said the comment was not intended to suggest that northern APC governors failed to support Tinubu after he emerged as the party’s candidate. It said the governors subsequently rallied behind Tinubu and played important roles in the 2023 presidential campaign and election.

The statement added that Shettima holds the northern governors and other APC leaders in high regard and recognises their contributions to the party’s success and Tinubu’s emergence as President. He also urged the media to maintain accuracy and provide proper context when reporting public remarks as the country approaches another political season.