By Tahir Ibrahim Tahir Talban Bauchi.
The Vice-President Sen. Kashim Shettima turns 58 today, the 2nd of September, 2024. In a statement issued by his spokesperson Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, the VP called on his well wishers not to spend money on newspaper and TV adverts or other lavish gifts to celebrate his birthday. Mr. Nkwocha conveyed the VP’s preference for supporters to channel such funds towards charitable organisations, or aid for vulnerable victims. Mr. Nkwocha noted that while the VP deeply appreciates the gestures, he intends to use this milestone as an opportunity to reflect and recommit himself to the principles of responsible and effective governance. The Vice-President wants to reflect on the commitments made towards addressing developmental challenges, fostering economic growth and improving the living conditions of Nigerians, Mr. Nkwocha emphasised. The Vice-President doesn’t see this period as a time for celebrations and fanfare, but as a time for reflection on the journey so far, towards alleviating the struggles of the common man and how to make life more affordable for him.
Shettima’s journey to 58 has been quite an eventful and remarkable one, reaching the pinnacle of his political career so far, as Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His path to this position has been one arduous struggle that has seen him courageously stepping up the ladder of career progression. From a bank manager, to serving as commissioner in Borno State in five different ministries, to eventually becoming the governor of Borno State for two terms, Shettima has had a long journey fraught with the most challenging obstacles. After his time as governor, he was elected Senator for one term, before finally being elected as Vice-President on the Asiwaju/Kashim presidential ticket of the APC. Shettima has definitely exuded the courage, resilience, wisdom and capacity to ascend to such great heights in the murky waters of modern day Nigerian politics. His continued progression in the political arena has proven that he has got true grit. He towers over all his colleagues that served as Governors from 2011 to 2019, ascending to the position of VP, and remaining in the top echelon of power in Nigeria’s political dynamics.
Just a year ago, he was picked on and mocked at the NBA annual conference, as just another ‘mola’ who had the grace of being picked as Asiwaju’s running mate. His speech and the oratory with which he delivered it contradicted their ‘mola’ assertions, and revealed one of Shettima’s star qualities. His eloquence and delivery in public speaking is quite unmatched in political circles. At first it was the perception of another uneducated northerner, now it’s the jibe that he speaks too much English! Shettima was a guest yet again at this year’s NBA conference and there was a bit of comic relief from the Vice-President, as he reminded the audience of how he had ‘sinned’ with his dressing to last year’s conference, wearing snickers and a ‘Mungo park’ suit, which attracted so much ridicule and public commentary. It was his speech delivery that rescued the day for him at the time. At this year’s conference, he was comical only in speech, as he appeared as dapper as he could be, wearing all the steeze in the world. This leaves many wondering whether the first appearance was just a political stunt.
In a birthday tribute, Mr. Nkwocha revealed that when Shettima appointed him as his spokesperson, he told him that he would give him a free hand to do his job well with no interference, but warned him that there is a red line that must not be crossed. “We will need to work assiduously to make sure the President succeeds. As long as I am Vice-President, there will only be one President. We are all here at his behest and all our efforts must be directed towards supporting him. This I won’t compromise.” Those were the calm but emphatic words of the Vice-President when I assumed duty as his spokesperson according to Nkwocha. Conspiracy theorists have come forward with all kinds of permutations and rumors of a rift between the President and the Vice-President. Shettima was not just an option that Mr. President was saddled or burdened with, at the eve of the elections. He has been an associate and mentee of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for over twenty five years, as is the tradition of the President in keeping long standing relationships with people from different walks of life. People from different backgrounds, religion, tribe and culture. Shettima was one of the first few that spearheaded the Asiwaju for President campaign in the top hierarchy of the APC, since his days as Governor and eventually more outspokenly as Senator.
Shettima’s loyalty to Mr. President is unquestionable. He has been one of his foot soldiers right from the get-go. Those egging on a rivalry or discord between the two are eager for a fractious relationship that will rock the APC boat, destabilise the government, and derail any efforts the government is making towards alleviating the plight of the common man. They want Shettima to sack the DSS boss, the NIA boss, and the IG, to prove that he has the political might. They want him to contradict his boss and demean him publicly. They want him to sell NNPC Ltd. to his cronies and fellow kanuris. They want him to invade the National Assembly and corner the two chambers to be at his beck and call. They want him to orchestrate having his boss at his mercy and offer no decision making without Shettima’s say so or support. They are egging him on to scheme him out. They forget that the wartime governor of Borno State is not only loyal to his boss, but a good student of history. He has had the privilege of measuring the gait of other VPs before him, their missteps, their ambition, their overzealousness and their lack of ‘steeze’; and above all, their lack of loyalty. They worked for themselves instead of working for their bosses. Shettima on the other hand is committed to his boss. He is not working to outshine him or outdo him. Staying this course will make him succeed and remain useful and vital for his boss’s success as well. Of what use is a cunny, overambitious and pretentious VP to his boss? I celebrate Shettima’s wisdom in handling the affairs of his office and his loyalty to his boss. I celebrate his birthday by wishing him long life, prosperity and providence. And since he has asked us not to celebrate with any fanfare, I won’t be sending him any ‘danderu’ for this birthday. It will be just my fervent prayers and wishes as usual.
