Vice President Kashim Shettima has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited an economy on the verge of collapse when he assumed office in May 2023 but chose to implement far-reaching reforms rather than blame his predecessor, the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Shettima made the remarks on Saturday while addressing supporters at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Jos, Plateau State.
According to the Vice President, Nigeria’s economy was approaching a crisis comparable to that of Venezuela when Tinubu took over, but the President demonstrated courage and political conviction by taking difficult decisions to prevent a complete economic collapse.
He praised Tinubu for accepting responsibility for both the achievements and challenges inherited from the Buhari administration, describing his approach as a demonstration of political maturity, loyalty and exemplary leadership.
Shettima said many political leaders would have chosen to blame their predecessors or avoid making difficult decisions upon assuming office, but Tinubu took a different path.
“I respect him fundamentally for one thing. A lot of leaders, on assuming the mantle of leadership, will have two options: either to continue to kick the ball or heap blame on their predecessors.
“But for President Tinubu, he assumed the mantle of leadership and, according to him, he has to take over the assets and liabilities of his predecessor.
“And no matter how much respect he has for you, woe betide anyone who criticises late President Muhammadu Buhari in his presence,” Shettima said.
The Vice President maintained that Tinubu’s decision not to blame Buhari was particularly commendable given the economic difficulties confronting the country at the beginning of his administration.
“When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in as the President of this country, our economy was teetering on the verge of collapse. We were on the road to Caracas.
“He had the courage and conviction to take far-reaching decisions that have saved the economy from collapse. He is indeed a transformational leader, and I believe posterity will be kind to him,” he declared.
Shettima described Nigeria’s current situation as a defining moment in its history, arguing that the country needed a leader willing to take unpopular but necessary decisions in the national interest.
Drawing inspiration from a quotation attributed to American military commander General Douglas MacArthur, he said effective leadership required the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make difficult decisions and the compassion to respond to the needs of others.
He expressed confidence that history would eventually judge Tinubu favourably, insisting that transformational leadership often required sacrifice and political courage.
Turning to Plateau State’s political future, Shettima urged residents to strengthen their support for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said Plateau had made significant contributions to Nigeria’s political development through the calibre of leaders it had produced and deserved a more prominent position in the country’s political affairs.
The Vice President cited former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, former Minister of Internal Affairs General John Shagaya, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Lieutenant General Jeremiah Useni and former Plateau State Governor Chief Solomon Lar among prominent personalities from the state.
“To the good people of Plateau State, you are a gift to the nation. Plateau gave the Nigerian nation one of our greatest leaders of all time, General Yakubu Gowon.
“Plateau gave this nation John Shagaya, Jerry Useni, Solomon Lar and a host of other great leaders that this country has produced.
“And you have no business being on the periphery of Nigerian politics,” he said.
Shettima urged Plateau residents to translate their political heritage into greater national influence by supporting Tinubu, Governor Caleb Mutfwang and APC candidates contesting National Assembly and state House of Assembly seats.
He specifically appealed to voters to support the candidates during the forthcoming elections, arguing that stronger political alignment with the Federal Government would create opportunities for the state.
The Vice President also highlighted the prominent positions occupied by Plateau indigenes in the Tinubu administration and the ruling party.
He mentioned Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC National Chairman, and Dr Bernard Doro, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, as examples of the administration’s recognition of the state’s political and administrative importance.
According to Shettima, the appointments demonstrate Plateau’s relevance within the country’s political structure.
“This is your government. The party’s National Chairman is a son of the soil. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, one of the most important ministries in the current dispensation, is a son of Plateau,” he said.
Shettima also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the Federal Government’s interventions designed to expand educational opportunities for young Nigerians by improving access to financial support for higher education.
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