BY AHMED AKANBI
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has told political gladiators in Kwara State that they will spend more years outside public office than inside it, warning them to shun bitterness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Shettima gave the warning midweek in Ilorin at the official turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
His admonition comes against the backdrop of renewed infighting in the Kwara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where losers of the governorship primary have broken into a faction known as G-15.
Addressing the gathering, Shettima said public office is transient and holders must serve with humility, conscience and readiness to forgive.
”Those in public office should resolve to serve with conscience, humility and fear of God and also muster the courage to forgive one another for posterity’s sake,” he said.
He reminded politicians that power is given by destiny, not by pedigree or intellect, and what binds them is greater than what divides them.
”As public office holders, we spend more of our lives outside public offices than we do in public offices. Let us embrace each other, let us have the courage to serve with humility.
”We are in power not because of our pedigree, intellect ability or physical built but by destiny. What brings us together supercedes what separates us,” he said.
The Vice President called for unity as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
”I call on all of us to unite in this political season and play politics without bitterness. The truth that set us free is also the truth that people don’t want to hear,” Shettima added.
Recalling the politics of 2023, he noted that only six out of 19 Northern governors, including AbdulRazaq, backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu when the rumour in circulation was “Baba Bayan Sun So,” implying then-President Muhammadu Buhari did not want Tinubu.
He said Tinubu, despite all odds, emerged President without hurting anyone, a large-hearted politician must emulate in 2027.
Describing Tinubu as “a good person and leader” he is proud to serve as deputy, Shettima urged gladiators to copy the President’s forgiving spirit.