Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that no one can force their way into Nigeria’s presidency.
In a viral video, Shettima spoke about the nature of Nigeria’s politics, describing it as one that involves many ethnic and religious interests.
According to him, anyone seeking power must connect with people across regions and build strong relationships instead of relying on pressure or threats.
Shettima said he supports the idea of a president from the South-East, explaining that such a move could help address long-standing concerns linked to the Nigerian Civil War.
However, he warned that the approach taken by some supporters from the region is not helpful and may not lead to success.
The Vice President went further to say that there are other individuals from the South-East he believes are more prepared for national leadership than Peter Obi.
He pointed to Rochas Okorocha as someone with strong ties across different parts of the country, noting his experience in both the North and Lagos.
He also mentioned David Umahi, describing his time as governor as one marked by visible development, especially in infrastructure within Ebonyi State.
He said: “In a multi-ethnic, multi-religious politics like ours, nobody can bulldoze his way to power through deceit, lies, intimidation, threats and blackmail. You get to power by building bridges, by reaching out.
“I am for the emergence of a Nigerian president of South-Eastern extraction to heal the wounds of the civil war. But the models of engagement adopted by the delusional audiovisual crowd is condemnable and it will take them nowhere.
“Shehu Musa Yar’Adua crisscrossed the whole of this nation building bridges and when he defeated the late Lateef Jakande in Lagos and Lateef Jakande invited him to a contest, to a popularity contest along the streets of Lagos, he retorted by saying go for that contest with Sarumi because it was Sarumi and co. It was the likes of Sarumi and Bola Tinubu that delivered Lagos during the presidential primaries.
“I believe even in the South-East there are better qualified people to rule this nation than Gregory.
“Honestly, I dare to mention my friend Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha. He was born, bred, buttered and toasted in the North. He speaks Hausa with local fluency. He made his money in the North and in Lagos and he’s at home in all parts of the country.
“We have David Umahi. Yes, you can call him a provincial politician but there’s no governor in the South-East that has performed better than David Umahi. Go to Ebonyi and see the roads constructed by him, then you’ll come to appreciate this great son of Africa.”