By Gbenga Akingbule
In 2024, a persistent rumour began circulating that the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alh. Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar CFR was facing imminent dethronement. As the speculation gained traction, Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima, the North’s top political leader, intervened to assuage concerns.
Gatekeepers News reports that Shettima categorically assured the public that the Sultan’s position as the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s Muslim community and head of the Sokoto Caliphate was secure, effectively quelling the rumour.
Vice President Shettima did not mince words as he let out his precise message, directed at the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State Hon Idris Gobir and to whom it may concern in an occation where some Northern stakeholders, including the Sultan of Sokoto had converged in the ancient city of Katsina during the opening of the inaugural North-West Peace and Security Summit.
“Yes, the Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto, but he’s much more than that, he represents an idea, he represents an institution that all of us in this country need to jealously guard, protect, promote preserve and project for the good of our nation,” VP Shettima said.
Many Nigerians, especially those from the northern region, have applauded Vice President Kashim Shettima for his decisive action in addressing a contentious issue previously plagued by speculation and uncertainty. His bold intervention has been met with widespread commendation and display of exceptional leadership acumen.
Senator Shettima unequivocally told all those plotting to dethrone the Sultan to bury their plans as the sultanate is not the exclusive preserve of a few within a geographic region.
Right there in Katsina, VP Shettima highlighted some of the critical steps taken by his boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government to address the northern region’s most pressing challenge: insecurity.
Insecurity has long plagued the nothern region, with the relentless Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast and banditry in the Northwest, herders and famers clashes in the North Central, residents are now looking unto President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration for a solution, seeking a renewed sense of safety and security.
The Tinubu administration has vowed to tackle the issue head-on, pledging to eradicate insecurity and restore peace to troubled areas.
“Our first decision was to task our brothers from the North-west and the northeast with the defence and security of the region. Who else can better understand the complexity of the crisis of a region than the people themselves?
“This has been a turning point, and I am proud to share that the strategies we have employed have begun to provide redemption. We are not slowing down until we achieve our aim,” Sen. Shettima said.
To further address the insecurity issue utilising the non kinetic approach , the vice president stated that the kinetic approach alone will not birth the desired result in tackling the insecurity bedevilling the region.
According to the Vice President, the sum of N50 billion was alloctecd by President Tinubu to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to initiate the Pulaku initiative, a non-kinetic option to halt the insecurity often posed by farmers and herders clashes in the region
“Our choice of Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna States for the pilot phase is strategically planned to create positive, nationwide transformations. The comprehensive plan includes building residences, roads, schools, and essential facilities, fulfilling our pledge to the nation.
“This effort symbolizes our commitment to sustainable development and a unified, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria, transforming our diversity into strength.” VP Shettima said.
Back in his home state , in September 2024, Vice President Shettima swiftly responded to the devastating flood disaster that ravaged Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and Jere Local Council. He bravely waded through the flooded waters, which reached almost waist-high, to access the Palace of the revered Shehu of Borno., his eminence Alh Abubakar ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi
Vice President Shettima wasted no time to announce the Federal Government’s immediate relief packages and long-term measures to tackle the root cause of flooding in Borno State, which is the breakdown of the Alau Dam. This prompt action has yielded results, as evident in the recent approval of N80 billion by President Bola Tinubu for the reconstruction and expansion of the Alau Dam
This significance of the huge financial approval for the Alau Dam aims to prevent future flooding and ensure the dam’s stability, the federal government had said .
The positive impact of Senator Kashim Shettima on his region is undeniable. As Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum back in 2015, his unwavering commitment to peace and development in the north was evident in the far-reaching decisions made to propel the region forward.
His visionary leadership has left an indelible mark, inspiring hope and progress for the people of the north .This has propelsd many stakeholders who believe that the successful partnership between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Shettima should be replicated in 2027 to ensure the continuity of the renewed hope agenda.
Hon. Sami Fema is one amongst numerous supporters of Vice president Shettima and a grassroots politician from Fune local government area of Yobe State believes that Shettima is the most exceptional Vice President the northern region have produced since the return of democracy in 1999 with just less than 2 years in office.
Fema noted that Vice President Shettima’s exceptional leadership qualities have fostered greater unity in the northern region. He urged those attempting to stir up unnecessary ethnic sentiments to cease immediately, emphasizing that the north is now more united than ever and fully backing President Tinubu ahead of 2027 elections.
Fema, who is also a farmer with a large number of livestock, expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu will exceed his previous electoral performance, securing victories in an increased number of northern states compared to 2023. He predicted that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket would garner at least 90% of the votes, citing the administration’s impressive achievements in the northern region and nationwide
“In 2027, the North, irrespective of the political, religious and ethnic divide are fully in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Shettima collaborative efforts to provide more development projects for our people,” Fema said.
On Saturday, different women groups from the North converged on Abuja for a meeting, amongst them is Hajiya Dayyaba Shuaibu, the Women Leader of All Progressives Congress (APin Jigawa State. She said the Tinubu/Shettima ticket in 2027 is the best combination for the continued development of the north and other parts of the country.
“Women from across the 19 northern states are quite impressed with the bold reforms and development of our region under President Tinubu. We’re unequivocally supporting the continuity of the Tinubu/Shettima joint ticket in 2027,” Shuibu said.
