Shettima fires Atiku: How can you unite Nigeria When Adamawa rejects you?

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has challenged the ability of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to unite Nigeria, arguing that his inability to secure the support of influential politicians in his home state of Adamawa raises doubts about his national leadership credentials.

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

He argued that Atiku had failed to build political consensus in Adamawa, despite having served as Vice-President and remained a major figure in the state’s politics.

“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 recalled that none of the five governors who had governed Adamawa since the return to democratic rule in 1999 was politically aligned with Atiku.

He named Boni Haruna, Murtala Nyako, Bala Ngilari, Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla and incumbent Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri as politicians who, according to him, were not supporting 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 (Binani) among prominent Adamawa politicians he claimed were not aligned with Atiku.

He further alleged that the former Vice-President had three governorship candidates in Adamawa, a situation he said reflected his inability to unite political forces.

“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.

The Vice-President contrasted the situation in Adamawa with what he described as widespread political support for Tinubu in Ondo.

“Here in Ondo, 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 also took aim at Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), over his appearance at the Abuja airport to welcome Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos.

He described Obi’s action as an attempt to attract public attention rather than demonstrate genuine political strength.

“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,” Shettima said.

He also questioned Obi’s relationship with prominent political figures in Anambra, including former governors Chris Ngige and Willie Obiano, as well as incumbent Governor Charles Soludo.

“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 Chukuma Soludo with him? The answer is no,” he said.

Returning to Tinubu’s political standing in Ondo, Shettima claimed the President enjoyed support across different political interests in the state.

He cited former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olushola Oke and members of the family of former Governor Adebayo Adefarati as examples of influential figures backing the APC.

He said the alignment of these politicians demonstrated a broad consensus in favour of Tinubu’s second-term ambition.