Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that President Bola Tinubu did not enjoy the support of most northern governors during his bid for the presidency in the 2023 general election.
Shettima said only six of the 19 northern governors supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition at the time.
The Vice President made the disclosure on Wednesday at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, during the turbanning of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate.
Reflecting on the 2023 presidential contest, Shettima said the political atmosphere was difficult for Tinubu, particularly in the North, but the President remained committed to his ambition despite opposition from some political actors.
“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,” Shettima said.
He recalled the political slogan and opposition that emerged around Tinubu during the campaign, saying the challenges did not convince him to abandon his presidential ambition.
“Then, the slogan was: ‘Baba bayan sushi’ (Buhari said he didn’t like him). Even with all this, Tinubu went ahead with his ambition, just like former President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.
Shettima also compared Tinubu’s political determination with that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying Buhari was known for refusing to give in to pressure during political negotiations.
“Buhari would call your bluff and send you away once you try to arm-twist him in any political negotiation,” he added.
The Vice President used the occasion to appeal to politicians in Kwara State and across the country to maintain unity after political contests, stressing that disagreements during elections should not permanently divide political actors.
According to him, Tinubu demonstrated this approach after the 2023 election by reconciling with northern governors who had not supported his presidential bid.
“After the 2023 elections, President Tinubu hugged and forgave all other Northern governors that did not support him. That is a mark of a good leader,” Shettima said.
He urged politicians in Kwara to similarly close ranks after the All Progressives Congress, APC, primaries and work together irrespective of their differences during the contest.
Shettima’s comments came as political groups and organisations in northern Nigeria continue to declare their positions ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
On Tuesday, student leaders from universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory endorsed Tinubu for a second term.
The students made their position known during the inauguration of the students’ wing of the Arewa for Asiwaju movement.
Abdulmudallib Sheriff, coordinator of the students’ wing and President of the Students’ Union Government of Bayero University, Kano, said the endorsement was based on what the students described as the administration’s interventions in education, student financing, skills development and youth empowerment.
Sheriff said the students intended to move beyond the endorsement by mobilising support for Tinubu across campuses and communities in the North.
“We are for Asiwaju. Our support is not passive or ceremonial; it is organised, deliberate, and ready for action. We will take this message to our campuses and communities. We will mobilise, communicate, and organise,” he said.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who also spoke at the event, linked the students’ position to what he described as the Federal Government’s achievements in education, infrastructure, healthcare and agriculture.
He specifically mentioned the Technical and Vocational Education and Training initiative and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, as programmes he said had provided opportunities for young people in the region.
“Through TVET and NELFUND, the president has done a lot for the north. Available programme data indicate that Northern Nigeria accounts for over 60 per cent of beneficiaries under key interventions. That is measurable impact,” Sani said.
The governor, however, advised the student leaders to base their political campaigns on records and evidence rather than attacks against opposition politicians.
“Do not campaign with insults; campaign with evidence. Do not answer criticism with abuse; answer it with facts,” he said.
Sani also said political participation by young Nigerians would have limited value if they continued to face challenges in education, employment, economic opportunities and access to the digital economy.
“We cannot meaningfully empower young Nigerians politically while leaving them educationally, economically and digitally excluded,” he said.
The Director-General of Arewa for Asiwaju, Muhammad Abubakar, said the movement would also rely on the performance of the Tinubu administration as the basis for its campaign.
“President Tinubu has already delivered, and the record speaks for itself. The students of Arewa are ready to stand with President Tinubu. We are ready to mobilise, organise, engage, and deliver,” Abubakar said.