President Bola Tinubu’s retention of Vice Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the 2027 elections will brighten the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at all levels, a former member of the House of Representatives, Professor Haruna Yerima, has said.
He said Mr Shettima had been very dutiful and loyal to President Bola Tinubu. “It is on record that Senator Kashim Shettima has been a very loyal and competent deputy to President Tinubu. He is not noisy.
“Even his political detractors can’t deny the fact that he is a competent powerhouse with strong intellectual capabilities. His political antecedents are legendary,” the former lawmaker said.
“Senator Shettima’s retention is putting square pegs in square holes,” a former lawmaker said in a statement released yesterday in Abuja.
Senator Shettima was unveiled on Friday by the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, when he received the names of President Tinubu and Mr Shettima for onward transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in line with electoral requirements.
The President’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, submitted both names at a brief ceremony attended by members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), state chairpersons of the party and some party’s governorship candidates in Abuja.
Professor Yerima said President Tinubu chose Vice President Shettima after thorough consideration of various factors.
“President Tinubu selected Senator Shettima to assist him in executing that agenda. This is after careful analysis of his performance in the last three years,” the APC chieftain said.
The former lawmaker said, “VP Shettima is, by all standards, a gentleman, a committed loyalist and credentialed intellectual with reputable democratic credentials.”
“Senator Shettima understands the terrain very well by evolving as a university lecturer (2 years), banker (6 years), commissioner across several ministries in Borno State (4 years), elected governor (8 years), senator (4 years) before reaching his current position as your loyal, committed and trusted deputy,” Professor Yerima said.
The don said Senator Shettima has been an avid supporter and advocate of President Tinubu’s principles, policies, reforms, and transformations, anytime, anywhere.
“He had participated in the 2023 electioneering rallies across the nooks and crannies of this country, and played a vital role we have seen during the National Assembly leadership election that saw the emergence of the ruling party’s endorsed candidates,” he said.
He thanked President Tinubu for rewarding hard work, loyalty, integrity, and confidence.
