Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to support the programmes and policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, assuring that the President has the best intentions for all citizens. Addressing representatives of media practitioners from the northern region at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, VP Shettima dismissed speculations that President Tinubu is anti-north or anti-Islam.
Shettima highlighted President Tinubu’s inclusive approach, evident in the appointments to key positions in government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). “Current statistics of appointments into MDAs show President Tinubu’s choice of northerners for key areas such as agriculture, security, communications technology, health, and allied services,” Shettima noted.
Commenting on the planned nationwide protests, VP Shettima acknowledged the right to protest but warned of the potential negative consequences. “Protest is the right of the people, but let it be known that historically, it has been hijacked by unscrupulous elements,” he stated.
Shettima pointed to specific initiatives such as the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict (RSPIC) and the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development as examples of the administration’s commitment to northern development. “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,” Shettima said, citing the President’s instrumental role in signing the Northwest Development Commission bill into law and launching the RSPIC Initiative.
Emphasizing the need for unity and support from the media and the public, VP Shettima called for collaboration to foster development rather than resorting to protests. “I am appealing to you to unite and support the development of our region by this present government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said. “We in the north need to promote actions and ideals that are critical to the development of our country; we cannot allow things to degenerate.”
Shettima encouraged media practitioners to mobilize people to take advantage of opportunities provided by the government, stressing the importance of supporting President Tinubu’s administration to enhance regional development. “President Tinubu has shown his love for the North as reflected in his appointments where people of northern extraction are occupying sensitive positions,” he reiterated, urging northerners to rally behind the current administration.