Vice President Kashim Shettima has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, questioning his political strength in his home state of Adamawa. Speaking at the APC 2027 presidential campaign rally in Ekiti State, Shettima said Nigerians should judge a politician by his own record at home before trusting his promises. He cited the fact that none of the five former governors of Adamawa is backing Atiku, indicating that he has no political base at home.
Shettima used Adamawa State as an example, stating that since the return of democracy in 1999, the state has had about five different governors, and not a single one of them is standing with Atiku. He made the statement while drawing cheers from the crowd, saying, "When somebody wants to give you a cloth to wear, look at the one he is wearing." The Vice President emphasized that politics is about grassroots control and a game of nerves, not emotion.
Shettima charged Ekiti people to reject opposition candidates who cannot win even in their own states and urged them to remain with the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who, according to him, has the support of governors, leaders, and the people across the country. He asked, "If you cannot control your own state, if you are not relevant in your home base, how can you tell others to elect you?"
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, presented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates in Ekiti State to the people of the state, urging them to come out en masse and vote for the party. Yilwatda said the party was in the state to present its candidates, starting from the President, down to the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly.
Ekiti State Governor, Oyebanji, noted that President Tinubu has performed creditably in Ekiti State through numerous road and infrastructure projects. He added that the APC government in Ekiti State has also done very well, noting that the governor was elected on the basis of performance, just like the President. Oyebanji said the people have spoken and presented to the President the candidates of the SDP, PDP, and APM who contested the June 20 governorship election with him.
Recalling the 2022 campaign, Oyebanji said President Tinubu came to Ekiti and asked the people for two things: to vote for him (Oyebanji) and to vote for Tinubu, promising to support him. He said on the basis of that support, Tinubu's support for his administration has been unprecedented in the 30-year history of Ekiti State. "Since the creation of Ekiti State, no President has been this good to Ekiti people," Oyebanji stated.
The rally was part of the APC's efforts to galvanize support for its candidates in Ekiti State. Shettima's comments were seen as a significant attack on Atiku Abubakar's political base in Adamawa state. The APC is seeking to maintain its stronghold in Ekiti State, with President Tinubu and other party leaders canvassing for votes.
Key points
- Shettima questions Atiku Abubakar's political strength in Adamawa state
- APC presents candidates in Ekiti State, seeks votes for 2027 election
- President Tinubu's performance in Ekiti State credited by Governor Oyebanji
