Senator Kashim Shettima, the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), claims that his principal Bola Tinubu saved Atiku Abubakar when he was being witch-hunted by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
Shettima stated that it was impossible for Atiku to attempt to serve as a match for Tinubu with an excellent track record of service delivery, qualitative leadership and capacity for grooming competent administrators.
The former governor of Borno state shared his thoughts on Atiku’s capability while receiving a support group, ‘APC National Integrity Movement.’
He stated that while he deeply respects Atiku as he is a father figure to him but Tinubu would hit the ground running.
He argued that Atiku is a political tourist who is constantly visiting Dubai, United Arab Emirates and only returns to the country when there is an election.
Shettima said: “Atiku Abubakar is like a father to me and I hold him in high esteem. But he is a political tourist who is only in this country every electoral circle and we are going to retire him back to Dubai to go and relax. In every situation, for people to see your worth, they need to see your output at home. I am from the Northeast; he is from the Northeast.
“Atiku cannot point to three projects that he brought to the Northeast or to Northern Nigeria for the eight years that he served as the vice president. He cannot show us three people that he has mentored.”
Speaking further, Shettima alleged that Tinubu served as a hiding place for Atiku when he was witch-hunted by the PDP.
“He provided support and succour when the nation was enveloped in darkness and when we were having lots of destruction in the hands of military dictators, he was a sanctuary for victims of political witch hunt including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who was intimidated and harassed, dehumanized and chased out of the PDP,” he added
He went on to question Atiku’s relationship with past governors of Adamawa State.
He said: “Is he even in good terms with past governors of Adamawa state? Admiral Nyako is with us. James Ngilari is with us. Asiwaju can boast of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, he can boast of Babatunde Raji Fashola, he can boast Lai Mohammed, Rauf Aregbesola, Kayode Fayemi, Femi Gbajabiamila, Abiodun Faleke, Joe Igbokwe, Ben Akabuaze. I can boost of Babagana Zulum, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Mohammed Ali Ndume, Betara Aliyu and Tahir Mongunu, Zanaib Gimba.”
Shettima argued that Tinubu is the best man for the job and he chose to support him out of moral obligation. He praised Tinubu for his resilience, national collaboration and national cohesion.
