President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed optimism that the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket will retain the presidency for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) next year.
He expressed the confidence when he hosted presidential running mate Senator Kashim Shettima at the State House in Abuja.
Kashim, who visited the President immediately after he was unveiled at the Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Conference Centre, Abuja by the party and the presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was in the company of Borno State Governor Prof Babagana Zulum.
A statement by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Mallam Garba Shehu quoted him as saying: “I will respond to your speech when I am handing over to you and your boss. God willing, you are going to win.”
Lauding the one-time Borno State governor’s choice as running mate, the President said: “I wish you the best. Your consistency in the party is very respectful. You served your two terms as governor and finished well. You have kept touch with your base. At every important occasion or event, you are maintaining support for the one who succeeded you. This is commendable.”
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The President expressed strong optimism that the APC ticket will emerge victorious in 2023.
Shettima thanked the President for his “empathy, support and positive role”, leading to his choice as vice presidential candidate.
He said: “Thank you for having a special place in your heart for Borno and Northeast. I can cite 20 to 30 instances of support you have rendered, for which you will be remembered.”
The senator listed the establishment of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the establishment of the Independent Power Plant by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Maiduguri “after many years of darkness,” as some of the interventions of President Buhari.
He said: “Words cannot describe our appreciation of your support. We will remain eternally grateful,” he said.
The former governor urged the President to help in appreciating his successor (Zulum) and the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, for spurning “recurring mention” of him and pressure from his governor colleagues to bid for the vice presidential ticket.
He pledged to remain “loyal and devoted” to the President, promising that his vice presidency will not be for the “troika of Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri,” but for all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or geographical place of origin.