AmanaOnline

The choice of the former governor of Borno State, Senator Kasim Shettima as the vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been described as “fantastic” by the political pressure group, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu Support Group, AATSG.

This was contained in a release signed by the National Chairman of the organisation, Otunba Abayomi Odunowo and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta.

Odunowo said Shettima is a detribalised Nigerian who while serving as Governor included tribes from other parts of the country in his government serving in various capacities.

He submitted that it was his open-mindedness that made the leadership of AATSG to appoint Shettima as the Chairman Board of Trustees of the frontline political organisation.

He further stated that he is not a religious fanatic and respects other faiths.

The National Chairman then praised the discerning mind of Asiwaju Tinubu for picking a vice president that is intelligent and has the right qualities and attitude to build Nigeria of our dreams.

The statement reads in part, ” It really is a fantastic choice. It is a winning team. Asiwaju Tinubu is a bridge builder while Senator Shettima is a detribalised individual. Shettima has demonstrated during his tenure as governor that he can work with individuals from all parts of Nigeria.

“For us in the AATSG, it’s double joy. Senator Shettima is the Chairman Board of Trustees of our organisation. In a way, by that very choice, we blaze the trail in recognising his leadership abilities.

“APC now has a team comprising a duo of national leaders with ties all over the country.

“We as an organisation will do everything within our power to ensure this team become the President and Vice President of Nigeria come 2023.

“On behalf of the Grand Patron of AATSG Iyaloja Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, the National leadership and its members across the country, congratulate Senator Shettima and wish APC success at the polls.”

Odunowo then called on the members of the organisation across the country to redouble their efforts at mobilising Nigerians to vote enmasse for APC at the next general elections.

Kashim Ibrahim Shettima was born in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria to a humble family and is married to with three children.

He attended Lamisula Primary School in Maiduguri, Government Community Secondary School, Biu in Southern part of Borno State, then transferred to Government Science Secondary School, Potiskum (now in neighbouring Yobe State) where he completed his secondary education. He studied at the University of Maiduguri and earned a Degree (BSc) in Agricultural Economics. He had his one-year compulsory membership of the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, in Calabar, capital of Cross River State in South-South, Nigeria.

He obtained a master’s degree (MSc) in Agricultural Economics at the University of Ibadan in Southwest, Nigeria. Shettima was a Lecturer and an academia at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

Shettima was also a Commissioner in 5 Ministries in Borno State Government during Gov Ali Modu Sheriff’s tenure. Shettima was selected as the Governorship flag bear of ANPP following the death of the then flag bearer Engineer Modu Fannami Gubio. And Shettima won with 531,147 votes while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Muhammed Goni, gained 450,140 votes.

He won reelection in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress, APC and was unambiguously chosen as Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, an umbrella body of Governors in the 19 States located in Northern Nigeria.

Shettima is presently serving as a Senator representing Borno Central Senatorial District.

From this wealth of experience, Kashim Shettima deserves and has the capability and capacity to hold the Vice President position