‘Atiku Cannot Unite Nigeria When He Cannot Unite Adamawa’ — Shettima

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has questioned the ability of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to unite Nigeria, claiming that the former Vice-President has failed to build political consensus in his home state of Adamawa.

Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday while campaigning for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Akure, Ondo State.

He contrasted what he described as Atiku’s lack of political support in Adamawa and Peter Obi’s alleged divisions in Anambra with the support Tinubu enjoys among political leaders in Ondo State.

The Vice-President claimed that none of the five governors who have governed Adamawa State since the return to democracy in 1999 had aligned with Atiku’s current political ambition.

“Our political opponents can conduct political rallies on Facebook and on Instagram, but for somebody who cannot build a consensus at the home front, Atiku Abubakar is from Adamawa State. He has been unable to build a lead consensus, even in his own Adamawa State,” Shettima said.

He listed former Adamawa governors Boni Haruna, Murtala Nyako, Bala Ngilari, Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla, popularly known as Bindow, and incumbent Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, claiming that none of them was aligned with the ADC presidential candidate.

Shettima also mentioned former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; former SGF Babachir Lawal; and Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, popularly known as Binani, among prominent Adamawa politicians he claimed were not supporting Atiku.

The Vice-President further alleged that Atiku had three governorship candidates in Adamawa, arguing that the situation raised questions about his ability to unite the country.

“And right now, he has three gubernatorial candidates in Adamawa. So someone who cannot unite his own state, I wonder how he is going to unite and drive the nation as a whole,” he said.

Shettima then turned his attention to Ondo State, describing the turnout at the APC rally as evidence of widespread support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“Here in Ondo, the game is over. This is a shutdown. Nothing less is expected from Ondo, and we remain eternally grateful to the people of Ondo for the massive turnout and support accorded to Mr President,” he said.

Shettima criticises Obi over Flamingos airport visit

The Vice-President also criticised the ADC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his reported attempt to welcome Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, at the Abuja airport on Monday.

Shettima described the move as an attempt to gain publicity, arguing that seeking the presidency required more than social media visibility.

“And you know, it is cheap to vie for the presidency of Nigeria, especially for those like my big friend Peter Obi, who think clout chasing like he went out of protocol to welcome our young victorious Flamingos, the female footballers and teams. You just must have grassroots and stakeholder support,” he said.

He also questioned Obi’s political relationships in Anambra State, asking whether former governors Chris Ngige and Willie Obiano, as well as incumbent Governor Charles Soludo, supported the former Anambra governor.

“When the president says he ran away from erosion, believe me, he did. But then, how many of the first governors of Anambra are with him? Is Chris Ngije with him? The answer is no. Is Willie Obiano with him? The answer is no. Is my friend Charles Chukwuma Soludo with him? The answer is no,” Shettima said.

Shettima cites Ondo political leaders backing Tinubu

Returning to Ondo State, Shettima described the political support Tinubu had attracted in the state as a “universal elite consensus”.

He cited former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, lawyer and former governorship candidate Olusola Oke, SAN, and members of the family of late Governor Adebayo Adefarati as examples of political figures aligned with the APC.

Shettima also mentioned Adefarati’s son, who represents Akoko South-East/Akoko South-West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, as evidence of the family’s association with the ruling party.

He argued that the support of prominent political figures in Ondo demonstrated the level of consensus behind Tinubu’s re-election campaign.