Vice President Kashim Shettima has clarified his recent comments regarding the role of northern governors in President Bola Tinubu’s emergence ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said his reference to six northern governors related specifically to political consultations and alignments before the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primary held in June 2022.
According to the statement, the Vice President’s remarks were not intended to question the support given by northern APC governors after Tinubu emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.
“It was not a comment on the position of northern APC governors following President Tinubu’s emergence as the party’s candidate, nor was it intended to question their support during the 2023 presidential election,” the statement said.
The statement added that after the APC primary, governors from the North rallied behind Tinubu and played significant roles during the campaign that led to the party’s victory in the 2023 general election.
Shettima said he holds northern governors and other APC leaders in high regard, acknowledging their individual and collective contributions to the growth of the party and Tinubu’s emergence as President.
The Vice President also expressed regret over interpretations of his remarks that may have suggested otherwise, noting that the clarification was aimed at placing his comments in their proper context.
He further appreciated the Nigerian media for its professionalism and engagement with his office.
Shettima urged journalists to continue to prioritise accuracy and context in reporting public statements, especially as political activities ahead of another election cycle begin to gather momentum.
