By: Dr. Musa Garba PhD, Unimaid.
Imagining Nigeria without His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima GCON as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is to imagine a vacuum in leadership defined by experience, loyalty, intellectual depth, commitment, trustworthy and grassroots connection.
His political journey and personal attributes represent a rare blend of competence and commitment that the nation cannot afford to undervalue.
Vice President Kashim Shettima’s political pedigree is neither accidental nor cosmetic. It is the product of years of consistent service, sacrifice, and resilience. from his early days as a Commissioner, to his tenure as Governor of Borno State during one of the most turbulent periods in Nigeria’s history, and later as a Senator of the Federal Republic,
H. E. Kashim Shettima demonstrated what it truly means to be a reliable, people-centered politician.
Throughout these phases of public service, he stood firmly with his people and remained steadfast in his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He did not govern or lead from a distance. Rather, he lived among the people, shared their struggles, ate and drank with them, and built a deep, enduring bond with both the electorate and party stalwarts.
This double-layered relationship rooted in trust and mutual respect, distinguishes him from many political actors whose connections to the masses are often superficial.
Beyond grassroots politics, Vice President Shettima is an intellectual of notable repute. His intellectual quotient, analytical depth, and clarity of thought have earned him international recognition and respect.
He has consistently projected Nigeria positively on both national and global platforms, contributing meaningfully to policy conversations, economic discourse, and national security debates. His calm reasoning and strategic insight have been invaluable assets to the current administration.
Equally important is his sincere commitment to party loyalty. Kashim Shettima supported the APC “head to toe,” through challenging times and critical transitions. His dedication to party unity and national stability has never been in doubt.
It is therefore both unfortunate and troubling that some mischief-makers and enemies of Nigeria continue to generate unnecessary noise about replacing him with individuals who lack comparable experience, credibility, or national acceptability.
If all these qualities embodied by Vice President Kashim Shettima: experience, loyalty, intellectual capacity, grassroots connection, and national outlook are not properly utilized, harnessed, and sustained, the nation risks undermining its own progress.
Nigeria cannot afford to discard tested leadership for experimentation driven by narrow interests.
A Nigeria without Kashim Shettima as Vice President would be a Nigeria that undervalues loyalty, sacrifices intellectual capital, weakens its bridge between government and the grassroots, and ignores the lessons of experience.
His presence in the presidency is not merely symbolic; it is strategic, stabilizing, and essential.
At this critical stage in Nigeria’s democratic journey, the nation needs continuity, competence, and character.
Vice President Kashim Shettima embodies these virtues. Rather than being distracted by unfounded calls for replacement, Nigerians should focus on consolidating the gains of capable leadership for the collective good of the country.
