ILORIN, NIGERIA — Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that President Bola Tinubu has forgiven the northern governors who opposed his 2023 presidential bid, urging politicians in Kwara State to unite and work for the success of the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Shettima made the disclosure on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting with APC leaders and members in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. He said the president had chosen the path of forgiveness and reconciliation rather than retribution, in the interest of national unity and the progress of the party.
“Mr. President has forgiven all those who opposed him in 2023, including the northern governors. He bears no grudges against anyone. What he wants is for all of us to come together and work for the progress of Nigeria,” Shettima stated.
The Vice President’s remarks come amid lingering divisions within the APC over the roles played by some northern governors during the 2023 presidential primaries, when several of them opposed Tinubu’s candidacy and supported a northern candidate. Despite the opposition, Tinubu went on to win the party’s ticket and the general election.
Shettima said the president’s decision to forgive his political opponents was a mark of true leadership and a reflection of his commitment to putting the nation’s interests above personal grievances. He called on APC members in Kwara State to embrace unity and to avoid actions that could undermine the party’s chances in 2027.
“We must not allow the mistakes of the past to divide us. The president has moved on, and we should all move on. Our focus should be on delivering the dividends of democracy to our people and ensuring that the APC remains in power at all levels,” he said.
The Vice President also commended the leadership of the APC in Kwara State for its efforts in strengthening the party’s grassroots structure. He urged party members to remain loyal and committed, assuring them that the federal government would continue to support the state’s development agenda.
The meeting was attended by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Senator Lola Ashiru, members of the House of Representatives, and other party chieftains. Governor AbdulRazaq thanked Shettima for his visit and assured him of the state’s continued support for the president’s administration.
“We are fully behind Mr. President and the APC. Kwara State will deliver massively for the party in 2027,” the governor said.
Shettima’s visit to Kwara State is part of the APC’s efforts to consolidate its support base ahead of the 2027 elections. The party has been working to reconcile aggrieved members and to strengthen its structures across the country, following the divisions that emerged during the 2023 elections.
Political analysts have described Shettima’s remarks as a strategic move to heal old wounds and to unite the party ahead of the next general elections. They noted that the APC would need a united front to retain power in 2027, particularly as opposition parties are seeking to build coalitions against it.
For now, the APC’s message of reconciliation appears to be gaining traction, with party leaders across the country expressing support for the president’s leadership. As the 2027 elections approach, the focus will shift to how well the party can translate its reconciliation efforts into electoral success.
