Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged politicians to demonstrate the spirit of reconciliation after elections, citing President Bola Tinubu’s handling of political differences after the 2023 presidential contest.
Shettima made the call at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, during the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate, where he urged politicians in Kwara State to reconcile after the All Progressives Congress, APC, primaries and prioritize the state’s development.
He said political contests should not be regarded as a “game of death”, urging politicians to unite after elections and prevent political differences from undermining development.
Shettima said Tinubu demonstrated leadership by reconciling with politicians who did not support his presidential ambition during the 2023 election.
“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.
He recalled that only six of the 19 northern governors supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition during the 2023 election.
“You all know that we have 19 states in the North. Out of these, only six actually believed and supported Tinubu. But Tinubu refused to be deterred. He was able to cross the road,” he said.
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According to Shettima, the 2023 presidential campaign was characterized by intense political tension and several challenges.
He said Tinubu remained focused on his ambition despite opposition from some political leaders across the country.
Shettima urged Kwara politicians to emulate Tinubu’s “large heart” by working together regardless of their political differences.
The Vice President also recalled former President Muhammadu Buhari’s approach to political negotiations, describing him as a politician who resisted pressure. Buhari would not allow himself to be pressured or manipulated during political negotiations, he said.
He said the Tinubu administration inherited an economy that was “about to collapse” when it assumed office, adding that the President refused to pass the blame and instead took responsibility for addressing the economic challenges confronting the country.
Shettima said the administration’s economic team subsequently forged ahead with measures aimed at turning the economy around.
Earlier, the Vice President inaugurated the Kwara State Revenue House on Ahmadu Bello Way and the Kwara Garment Factory, both in Ilorin.
In his remarks, the Matawali of Ilorin Emirate, Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq, described the Sardauna title bestowed on the governor as well deserved. He thanked the Emir of Ilorin for finding the governor worthy of recognition by the emirate.
He urged the governor to regard the title as a clarion call to deliver more dividends of democracy across Kwara and ensure that the benefits of governance reached communities across the state.
