The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday informed the Vice-Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Kashim Shettima, that he was confident that he would hand over the leadership of the country to him and his principal, Bola Tinubu, after the 2023 general elections.
The President made this known while speaking at the State House in Abuja where he stated that he believes that his party, in spite of the growing concern over APC’s preference for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, was confident that the party would win the February 2023 presidential election regardless.
The president, who made this known while playing host to Shettima on Wednesday, after he was formally unveiled at the Yar’Adua Centre as Tinubu’s running mate, boasted that the APC would return to power next year.
In the same breath, Tinubu, at Shettima’s unveiling yesterday reiterated that he was committed to his choice of a Muslim-Muslim preference, even as the former Borno State governor explained that his pick was in no way an imposition.
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Shettima had thanked the president for his empathy, support, and positive role, leading to his emergence as running mate to the APC presidential candidate.
While praising him for having a special place in his heart for Borno and Northeast, he added: “I can cite 20-30 instances of support you have rendered, for which you will be remembered.”
He mentioned the establishment of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the Independent Power Plant for Maiduguri by the NNPC, ‘after many years of darkness,’ noting that, ‘words cannot describe our appreciation of your support. We will remain eternally grateful.’
He requested of the President to appreciate his successor, Babagana Zulum, who was in his company, along with the Minister of State, Agriculture, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, for spurning “recurring mention” of him and pressure from his governor colleagues to bid for the vice-presidential ticket.
Shettima, however, pledged to remain ‘loyal and devoted’ to the President, promising that his vice-presidency would not be for the ‘troika of Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri,’ but for all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or geographical place of origin.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Tinubu said, every election brings with it, the promise of renewed hope, and that, the 2023 elections would be no different. He, however, insisted that, the APC must win the 2023 elections in order to bring a better life to the people of this country.