Politics and Tinubu’s wishes to Shettima, By Yushau A. Shuaib

R-L: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shaking hands with Vice President Kashim Shettima (PHOTO CREDIT: X @GovBorno)

As I widen my ain day wishes to Vice President Shettima, I besides anticipation this infinitesimal marks the opening of a renewed concern — 1 that reflects the tone of nationalist cohesion and shared intent that Nigeria truthful desperately needs. Because successful a state arsenic fragile arsenic Nigeria, unity astatine the highest level is not conscionable desirable — it is indispensable.

In a federation gripped by hostility and governmental intrigue, adjacent the elemental enactment of celebrating birthdays and anniversaries of nationalist figures tin consciousness similar a forgotten ritual. Yet, amidst the sound of governmental realignments and verbal skirmishes — specified arsenic the caller fallout betwixt erstwhile allies Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu implicit nationalist information and 2027 calculations — came a infinitesimal of quiescent significance: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally penned a heartfelt day tribute to Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Was I surprised? Not entirely. For implicit a year, speculation has swirled astir the quality of the narration betwixt Tinubu, the erstwhile Lagos governor, and Shettima, the erstwhile Borno governor. Rumours of a frosty dynamic person persisted, contempt Shettima’s pivotal relation successful Tinubu’s 2023 triumph — rallying Northern enactment and lasting steadfast erstwhile galore doubted Tinubu’s ambition.

While governmental actors maintained a façade of harmony, it was evident that Shettima’s visibility had diminished. In my May 2024 article, “Tinubu’s Presidency: Where is Senator Shettima?”, I raised concerns astir Shettima’s diminished visibility since the inauguration. Despite his estimation for inclusive enactment and his past of mentoring susceptible successors, Shettima appeared sidelined. Key responsibilities were centralised nether Tinubu and his Lagos-based “kitchen cabinet.”

I reflected successful that nonfiction that the Shettima we spot contiguous is simply a acold outcry from the ebullient, assertive person we erstwhile knew. His existent relation lacks the explanation and authorization traditionally accorded to vice presidents. Unlike erstwhile vice presidents who had clearer portfolios, Shettima’s mandate appeared blurred. Agencies traditionally aligned with the Vice president had been merged oregon reassigned. Even connected issues affecting the North, helium seemed muted. These raised questions astir his relevance successful the existent powerfulness structure.

In that piece, I warned that excluding specified a important state could person sedate governmental costs. I adv...