Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
Vice President Kashim Shettima has clarified his recent comments about northern governors’ support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying his reference to six governors concerned political consultations and alignments before the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in June 2022.
The clarification was issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026, by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
It followed comments Shettima made on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of the Ilorin Emirate.
During the event, Shettima said that only six of the 19 northern governors had believed in and supported Tinubu during his presidential ambition.
His remarks were subsequently interpreted as referring to the level of support Tinubu received from northern governors during the 2023 presidential election.
The Vice President’s office has now clarified that the statement was specifically about the period leading to the APC presidential primary in 2022.
What Shettima’s Office Clarified
According to the clarification issued by Nkwocha, Shettima’s reference to six northern governors was about political consultations and alignments that took place before the APC primary in June 2022.
The statement said the comment was not intended to describe the position of northern APC governors after Tinubu became the party’s presidential candidate.
It also said the remarks were not intended to question the governors’ support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.
The clarification stated that northern APC governors rallied behind Tinubu after the presidential primary and contributed to the campaign and electoral efforts that eventually resulted in his victory in the 2023 general election.
What Shettima Said in Ilorin
Shettima’s original comments came while he was speaking at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
According to reports of the event, the Vice President referred to the 19 states in northern Nigeria and said only six governors had supported Tinubu during the earlier stage of his presidential ambition.
Shettima also spoke about the political difficulties Tinubu faced before the 2023 election and said the President eventually reconciled with northern governors who had not supported his bid.
He used the example to urge politicians to reconcile after political contests and avoid allowing disagreements to become permanent divisions.
However, the subsequent clarification from his office narrowed the reference to the period preceding the 2022 APC presidential primary.
Why the 2022 Primary Matters
The distinction between the 2022 APC primary and the 2023 general election is important to understanding the clarification.
Tinubu’s emergence as the APC presidential candidate occurred at the party’s primary in June 2022. His subsequent campaign for the presidency took place after he had secured the party’s nomination.
The Vice President’s office said Shettima’s reference to six northern governors concerned the political consultations and alignments that occurred before that primary.
It therefore rejected an interpretation that the statement meant only six northern APC governors supported Tinubu throughout the 2023 presidential campaign.
The office said the governors subsequently rallied around the APC candidate after the primary and participated in the campaign and electoral efforts that culminated in Tinubu’s election victory.
Shettima Regrets Different Interpretation
The Vice President’s office also sought to emphasise Shettima’s relationship with northern governors and other APC leaders.
According to the clarification, Shettima recognises the individual and collective contributions of the governors and other party leaders to the APC’s success and Tinubu’s emergence as President.
The statement said Shettima regretted any interpretation of his earlier comments that may have suggested otherwise.
The clarification was therefore presented as an attempt to place the Vice President’s remarks in their intended political and historical context.
The Political Context
The clarification comes as Nigeria moves towards another politically active period ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Shettima’s original comments attracted attention because the question of regional political support remains an important part of Nigeria’s electoral politics.
Northern Nigeria comprises 19 states, making the political positions of governors and other influential political actors in the region significant in national campaigns.
The distinction made by the Vice President’s office also highlights the importance of separating political alignments during an internal party nomination process from support during a subsequent general election.
In this case, the clarification indicates that Shettima was referring to the former rather than suggesting that northern APC governors generally withheld support from Tinubu during the 2023 election campaign.
A Call for Political Reconciliation
Beyond the clarification over the six governors, Shettima’s comments in Ilorin also focused on reconciliation after political contests.
He urged politicians to avoid treating political competition as a permanent conflict and encouraged them to close ranks after party primaries.
The issue is particularly relevant within political parties, where competing aspirants and factions may have different interests during nomination contests but are expected to work together once candidates have emerged.
Shettima’s office said the Vice President holds northern governors and other APC leaders in high regard despite the political differences that existed during the period before the 2022 presidential primary.
What Happens Next
The immediate issue is the clarification of Shettima’s comments and the distinction between political alignments before the 2022 APC primary and support for Tinubu during the 2023 general election.
The Vice President’s office has urged the media to maintain accuracy and context when reporting public remarks, particularly as Nigeria enters another politically significant period.
The clarification does not identify the six northern governors referenced by Shettima. In his original remarks, Shettima identified former Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq among the six but did not name the remaining governors.
For readers, the central point is that the Vice President’s office now says the reference to six northern governors was about political support and consultations before the June 2022 APC presidential primary, rather than a claim that only six northern governors supported Tinubu after he became the party’s candidate.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- The Office of the Vice President, statement issued through Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications.
- Punch, September 17, 2026.
- Channels Television, September 17, 2026.
- Vanguard, September 17, 2026.
- The Guardian, September 16–17, 2026.
