The Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima issued a formal clarification on Wednesday, September 17, 2026, regarding comments he made about the support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received from northern governors before the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary. The clarification, signed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, stated that Shettima's reference to six northern governors who believed in and backed Tinubu was specifically about political alignments that occurred before the APC presidential primary held in June 2022.
What Shettima Actually Meant
According to the statement, the Vice President's comments were never intended to reflect on the position of northern APC governors after Tinubu emerged as the party's candidate, nor were they meant to cast doubt on the governors' support during the 2023 presidential election campaign. The office said that following the primary, northern APC governors united behind Tinubu and played key roles in the campaign that led to his victory at the polls.
The statement described Tinubu's declaration as winner of the 2023 presidential primary as "the aligning moment across all political divides in the quest for power shift," noting that all other governors across the country subsequently fell in line after the northern governors' declaration. Nkwocha said the Vice President holds northern governors and other APC leaders in high regard and fully recognises the part they played, both individually and collectively, in delivering success for the party.
Shettima Regrets Any Misinterpretation
Shettima expressed regret over any interpretation of his remarks that suggested a different picture and said he hoped the clarification would place his words in their proper context. The Vice President also praised the Nigerian media for its professionalism and its engagement with his office over the years. He urged journalists to continue applying accuracy and proper context when reporting public statements, particularly as the country moves closer to another election cycle.
Previously, Legit.ng reported that former Benue state governor Samuel Ortom publicly declared that he stands by his decision to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying he has no regrets about the position he took. Ortom made the declaration during an interview on ARISE News, where he addressed the political climate in Benue state, his relationship with current governor Hyacinth Alia, and his preparations for the 2027 general elections.
