- Vice-President Kashim Shettima urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s administration, countering claims of being anti-north or anti-Islam
- Shettima acknowledged citizens’ right to protest but warned against potential negative consequences, emphasizing the need for unity and support for development
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration in realizing its programmes and policies, asserting that the President has the nation’s best interests at heart.
Addressing representatives of northern media practitioners during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima countered speculations that President Tinubu is anti-north or anti-Islam. He highlighted that the President has demonstrated inclusivity through key appointments to key Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Shettima acknowledged the citizens’ right to protest but cautioned against the potential negative consequences. “Protest is the right of the people, but historically, it has been hijacked by unscrupulous elements,” he noted, expressing concerns over potential losses that could result from protests.
He pointed to the statistics of appointments into MDAs, showing President Tinubu’s preference for northerners in significant sectors such as agriculture, security, communications technology, and health. The Vice-President emphasized the administration’s genuine intentions to uplift the North through various initiatives.
Highlighting the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict (RSPIC) and the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Shettima stressed, “President Tinubu means well for the North. Let us disabuse the minds of our people who have been misinformed that the President does not like the North. He approved the Northwest Development Commission bill and launched the RSPIC Initiative, which will positively impact the northern people.”
Shettima reiterated the President’s commitment to the North’s development: “He loves the North and is working for its transformation.”
Addressing the media, Shettima urged support for the administration instead of resorting to protests, emphasizing that such actions will not foster regional development. “I am appealing to you to unite and support the development of our region by this present government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is not the time to protest,” he said.
He called on media practitioners to mobilize the region’s people to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Federal Government to improve their lives and livelihoods.