"You Can’t Ignore Him": Shettima Praises El-Rufai Amid Controversies
- President Bola Tinubu's vice, Kashim Shettima, has sung the praises of the immediate past Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai
- The vice president, while speaking at an event on Thursday, July 10, 2025, noted that irrespective of El-Rufai's personality, no politician can ignore him
- Shettima also hailed NNPP chieftain Rabiu Kwankwaso, adding that all politicians in Nigeria are united by a common cause
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Vice President Kashim Shettima has heaped praises on former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, stating that, regardless of his personality, he remains a figure that cannot be ignored.
Shettima stated this while speaking at a book launch in Abuja on Thursday, July 10, 2025. The vice-president noted that El-Rufai is "the enfant terrible of the Nigerian Governors’ Club." He further said, "Hate him, love him, but you can’t ignore him."
Source: Twitter
Shettima commends Kwankwaso
Shettima, in his address, also commended Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano state and the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 election. He described him as "the fire-spitting leader of the Kwankwassiyya Movement."
According to Vanguard, the vice president explained that all Nigerian politicians are one in their task to build the country, irrespective of their political affiliation. His admonition for El-Rufai, Kwankwaso and other opposition leaders came amid alignment and realignment within the political class ahead of the 2027 general election.
There have been several controversial reports alleging a rift between Shettima and President Bola Tinubu. Recently, it was rumoured that the president was considering dumping Shettima as vice president in his re-election bid in 2027, and Kwankwaso, who was alleged to be plotting a move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was said to be a possible replacement.
APC chieftains dismiss rift between Tinubu, Shettima
While several figures in the ruling party have dismissed the claim, the recent political momentum of the Atiku Abubakar-led coalition is believed to be leveraging the alleged plan to drop Shettima as one of the factors that could unseat Tinubu and the APC in the next general election cycle.
The coalition comprises opposition leaders, including El-Rufai, Peter Obi of the Labour Party and former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi. At the moment, Atiku, Obi and Amaechi have expressed their interest in becoming the flagbearer of the coalition to contest against President Tinubu.
One of the criticisms levelled against the coalition movement is that virtually all its leaders have presidential ambitions, and none appear willing to step aside for another. This concern was highlighted by Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former spokesperson of the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF)
Source: Twitter
2027 election: NNPP chieftain addresses Nigerians
Legit.ng earlier reported that NNPP chieftain Olufemi Ajadi called on Nigerians not to vote for any politician or party that failed to fulfil their electoral promises in the 2023 electioneering.
The former Ogun governorship candidate lamented the worsening leadership and unfulfilled commitments in the country.
He said, despite the ground promises made to Nigerians during the electioneering, Nigeria is still being confronted with several challenges.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
