Tinubu is a very good man, He took over the country in shambles, but didn’t blame Buhari – Shettima

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerian politicians to pursue their political interests without bitterness, while using positions of authority with humility and a sense of responsibility.

Shettima made the call on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin.

The Vice President, while reflecting on the conduct of political leaders, cited President Bola Tinubu as an example of what he described as political decency, particularly in his handling of the administration he inherited from former President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Shettima, eyebrows were raised in 2023 when the Tinubu administration announced that it inherited about $3.9 billion, but the President refused to engage in a blame game.

He said Tinubu accepted responsibility for both the assets and liabilities of the previous administration.

“Our economy was teetering on the verge of collapse. But President Bola Ahmed Tinubu refused to pass the blame. He inherited assets and liabilities of his predecessor,” Shettima said.

The Vice President also described Tinubu as a “decent man”, saying his assessment was based on his personal experience and closeness to the President.

“Against perception or criticism, the President I serve as his assistant is a good man. My own perception of him and closeness with him proves to me that he’s a decent man,” he said.

Shettima said one of the easiest ways to offend Tinubu was to abuse Buhari, explaining that the President had maintained respect for his predecessor despite political differences.

He also recalled the 2023 presidential election, saying only a few northern governors openly supported Tinubu’s presidential bid at the time.

“We have 19 states from the North. Apart from Sani Bello and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. To avoid controversy, I’ll stop naming others. But governors supporting Tinubu were not more than six,” he said.

Shettima subsequently appealed to politicians to embrace reconciliation and avoid allowing political disagreements to create lasting divisions.

“The beauty of politics is that there is no permanent enemy but permanent interest,” he said.

He further urged political leaders to exercise power with humility and deploy their positions to serve humanity and God.

According to him, politicians should remember that they spend a greater portion of their lives outside political office than in power.

“It’s sobering for all of us to humble ourselves before God and humanity. Time heals, and time solves all problems,” he said.

The Vice President called on political actors to forgive one another and focus on issues that unite the country, rather than those that deepen divisions.

“Let’s embrace each other. Let us have the courage to forgive one another. Let’s have the humility to serve humanity with less fight. Power is one of the favours Allah bestows on us. We’re in power not because of our pedigree.

“There are people of superior pedigree than us here. We’re in power not because of our intellect. There are people who are endowed with intellect than us here. After all, wife of our governor is a professor.

“I call on us to unite in this political season. What binds us together supersedes whatever that divides,” Shettima said.

The Vice President stressed that his appeal was not motivated by partisan politics, saying he was speaking as a Nigerian and a brother.

“I’m not speaking as a politician, but I’m speaking as your brother and as a fellow Nigerian. If it’s about money, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu can do a lot here, but he simply submitted to superior power. So, I want to call on us all to play politics without bitterness,” he added.

Shettima also congratulated Governor AbdulRazaq on his traditional title, saying the governor’s pedigree and family background made him deserving of the honour.

The turbaning ceremony attracted prominent political and traditional figures, including Niger State Governor Umar Bago, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Katsina State Governor Umar Radda and Kebbi State Governor.

Also present were the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Laoye II.