Vice President Kashim Shettima has stirred fresh political debate after declaring that Nigeria’s presidency cannot be attained through coercion, while also suggesting that there are more qualified leaders from the South-East than Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Speaking on the country’s political climate, Shettima stressed the importance of inclusivity and consensus-building in a diverse nation like Nigeria. According to him, leadership must be built on trust and broad national acceptance rather than pressure tactics.
“In a multi-ethnic, multi-religious politics like ours, nobody can bulldoze his way to power through deceit, intimidation, threats or blackmail,” he said. “You get to power by building bridges and reaching out.”
The Vice President, however, expressed support for the emergence of a president from the South-East, describing it as a potential step toward healing longstanding historical divisions dating back to the civil war.
“I am for the emergence of a Nigerian president of South-Eastern extraction to heal the wounds of the civil war,” Shettima noted, though he criticized what he described as certain confrontational approaches adopted by some political actors from the region.
His remarks took a more direct turn when he asserted that the South-East has individuals he considers more qualified for the presidency than Obi, referring to the former Anambra State governor in pointed terms.
Shettima highlighted former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha as one such figure, praising his national reach and political experience across different regions of the country. He also commended former Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi for his infrastructural record, describing him as one of the most effective leaders to have emerged from the South-East.
Drawing from Nigeria’s political history, the Vice President emphasized the role of grassroots mobilization and alliances in achieving electoral success. He referenced the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua’s strategy of building nationwide support networks, underscoring that political victories are often determined by coalition-building rather than regional popularity.
Shettima’s comments are expected to generate reactions across the political spectrum, particularly among supporters of Peter Obi, who remains a prominent opposition figure with strong backing among young voters and urban populations.
Political observers say the statement may also signal early positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, as conversations around power rotation and regional representation continue to shape Nigeria’s political discourse.
As debates intensify, Shettima’s remarks have once again brought to the fore the complex dynamics of leadership, regional equity, and political strategy in Africa’s most populous nation.
Comments
Post a Comment