Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that President Bola Tinubu hugged and forgave Northern governors who opposed his presidential ambition during the 2023 election.
Shettima made this known on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State, while speaking at the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
The Vice President spoke about the development while urging politicians in Kwara State to put aside their differences after political contests, especially as activities ahead of the 2027 elections continue.
Shettima said political disagreements should not be allowed to destroy relationships, stressing that politicians should be able to reconcile after elections and work together for the development of the country.
He recalled the opposition Tinubu faced in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, noting that the President did not receive the backing of many governors in the Northern region at the time.
According to Shettima, only six of the 19 northern states had governors who supported Tinubu during the presidential contest.
Despite this, Tinubu continued his campaign and eventually emerged victorious.
He added that Tinubu did not allow the disagreements from the election to permanently affect his relationship with the Northern governors who had opposed him.
He said: “I call on all of us to unite in this political season and play politics without bitterness. The truth that sets us free is also the truth that people don’t want to hear. 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. 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.”
