Vice President Kashim Shettima has described political opponents as companions in nation-building, warning in opposition to what he referred to as a “devilish narrative” and “dubious aspersion” in opposition to President Bola Tinubu. Shettima spoke on Monday, October 19, in Abuja at an occasion tagged ‘An Evening with the Original City Boy’, the place he defended Tinubu’s……
Vice President Kashim Shettima has described political opponents as companions in nation-building, warning in opposition to what he referred to as a “devilish narrative” and “dubious aspersion” in opposition to President Bola Tinubu.
Shettima spoke on Monday, October 19, in Abuja at an occasion tagged ‘An Evening with the Original City Boy’, the place he defended Tinubu’s political relationship with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The Vice President mentioned Tinubu and Atiku had identified one another for years and shared a political historical past that ought to encourage mutual respect regardless of their present variations.
“Our political opponents are not our enemies, they are our co-travellers in nation building,” Shettima mentioned.
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“But we won’t turn our other cheek as they’re trying to weave a devilish narrative and dubious aspersion against our principal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he added.
Shettima mentioned Tinubu and Atiku have been each mentored by the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, stressing that their longstanding relationship shouldn’t be neglected within the present political local weather.
“President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar have come a long way. Both of them were mentored by the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua,” he mentioned.
The Vice President additionally recalled Tinubu’s previous political assist for northern leaders, citing the 2003 presidential election, when he mentioned Tinubu offered the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) for Nuhu Ribadu to contest for the presidency.
Shettima additional recalled that Atiku sought political refuge with Tinubu after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007.
“Again, in 2007, when Vice President Atiku Abubakar was harassed, intimidated, dehumanised and chased out of the PDP, he sought refuge in the land of the Bourdillon, who provided him with a platform to contest for the presidency of this country,” he mentioned.
He additionally credited Tinubu with serving to former President Muhammadu Buhari safe the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket and finally win the presidency.
“Without the support of Bola Tinubu, our brother late Muhammadu Buhari wouldn’t have emerged as the APC presidential candidate,” Shettima mentioned.
According to him, Buhari’s earlier presidential bids in 2003, 2007 and 2011 have been unsuccessful till the political alliance between Tinubu and Buhari introduced collectively assist from throughout the nation.
“It was that partnership, that handshake and partnership across the Niger that President Bola Tinubu masterminded that had Muhammadu Buhari elected as president of this country,” he mentioned.
Shettima mentioned his concern with Atiku’s present political posture was that it did not replicate the longstanding relationship between the previous vp and Tinubu.
“This is the problem I have with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. This gentleman seated here, Bola Tinubu, is his friend, contemporary and brother who deserves to be treated with respect and dignity,” he mentioned.
