Shettima: Only six northern governors backed Tinubu in 2023

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has disclosed that only six of the 19 northern governors supported President Bola Tinubu’s presidential bid during the 2023 election.

Shettima made the disclosure on Wednesday at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, during the turbaning of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate.

The Vice-President said Tinubu faced significant opposition within the North during the 2023 presidential contest but remained determined to pursue his ambition.

According to him, only six northern governors backed the President at the time, including former Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and AbdulRazaq.

“You all know that we have 19 states in the North. Out of these, only six actually believed and supported Tinubu,” Shettima said.

He added, “The governors that were supporting President Tinubu in the North were not more than six. However, Tinubu refused to be deterred. He was able to cross the road.”

Shettima said the experience offered lessons for politicians, particularly on the need to avoid allowing political contests to permanently damage relationships.

He urged politicians in Kwara to reconcile after the All Progressives Congress primaries, irrespective of who emerges as the party’s candidate.