President Muhammadu Buhari , on Wednesday, created a sense of humour at the State House, Abuja while responding to a flowery speech by the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Kashim Shettima, saying that, “I will respond to your speech when I am handing over to you and your boss (Tinubu). God willing, you are going to win.”
Buhari, who received Shettima shortly after he was unveiled by the leadership of the APC, said he is very happy with the choice of the former Borno State Governor as running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, also quoted Buhari as saying to Shettima that, “I wish you the best. Your consistency in the party is very respectful. You served your two terms as Governor and finished well. You have kept touch with your base. At every important occasion or event, you are maintaining support for the one who succeeded you. This is commendable.
The President also expressed strong optimism that the APC ticket will emerge victorious in 2023.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked Buhari for his “empathy, support and positive role,” leading to his emergence as running mate to the APC presidential candidate.
He praised the President for having “a special place in your heart for Borno and North East,” adding that , “I can cite 20-30 instances of support you have rendered, for which you will be remembered.”
Shettima mentioned the establishment of the North East Development Commission, NEDC, and the Independent Power Plant for Maiduguri by the NNPC, “after many years of darkness,” saying that “words cannot describe our appreciation of your support. We will remain eternally grateful.”
The former Borno Governor requested the President to appreciate his successor, Prof Babagana Zulum, who was in his company, along with the Minister of State, Agriculture, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, for spurning “recurring mention” of him and pressure from his governor colleagues to bid for the Vice Presidential ticket.
Shettima also pledged to remain “loyal and devoted” to the President, promising that his Vice-Presidency will not be for the “troika of Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri,” but for all Nigeria, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or geographical place of origin.
