From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Vice President Kashim Shettima, has urged Nigerian politicians to embrace reconciliation, forgiveness and unity after political contests, saying power should not be allowed to create permanent divisions among the people.
Shettima spoke on Wednesday, at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, during the royal turbaning of Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate.
The Vice President said politicians should play politics without bitterness and remember that public office is temporary, while the consequences of their actions could last much longer.
Related News
He urged political leaders to serve with humility, do good to the people and have the courage to forgive one another, stressing that political differences should not destroy relationships.
According to him, political power is ultimately given by God and should not be regarded as a reward for being better than others.
Shettima particularly cited President Bola Tinubu’s experience during the 2023 presidential election, disclosing that only six of the 19 northern governors supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition at the time.
He said despite the political opposition and difficulties encountered during the campaign, Tinubu remained focused and eventually won the election.
He added that despite the political differences that preceded the election, Tinubu later embraced those who had opposed him.
“After the 2023 election, President Tinubu hugged and forgave all other northern governors that did not support him. That is a mark of a good leader,” he said.
The Vice President consequently appealed to politicians in Kwara State, to close ranks after the recent political contests and work together for the development of the state.
He said political competition should not be treated as a “game of death”, stressing the need for reconciliation once elections and party primaries were over.
Shettima also defended the Tinubu administration’s approach to the economic challenges it inherited in 2023, saying the government refused to shift blame for the difficulties confronting the country.
He disclosed that the administration inherited about $3.9 billion, adding that the economic team nevertheless forged ahead with efforts to stabilise and transform the economy.
The Vice President described Tinubu as a “good and decent man” who, according to him, has the interests of Nigerians at heart and believes in the people working with him.
Shettima also commended the Emir of Ilorin for honouring Governor AbdulRazaq, saying the title reflected the governor’s contributions to the development of Kwara State.
He noted that the governor’s late father had left “good footprints” in the Ilorin Emirate and Nigeria, expressing optimism that the new title would further strengthen the relationship between the AbdulRazaq family and the Emirate.
The Vice President commended the governor’s efforts in infrastructure development and thanked him for supporting the implementation of Federal Government policies and programmes aimed at providing relief to Nigerians.
In his remarks, the Matawalle of Ilorin Emirate, Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq, described the Sardauna title conferred on the governor as well deserved.
He thanked the Emir of Ilorin for recognising the governor and urged AbdulRazaq to regard the honour as a fresh call to provide more dividends of democracy to people across the state.
The ceremony attracted dignitaries from across the country, including Niger State Governor Umar Bago, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, as well as other state governors and deputy governors.
Also present were the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, and traditional and political leaders from different parts of the country.
Earlier, Shettima inaugurated the Kwara State Revenue House on Ahmadu Bello Way and a garment factory in Ilorin.
