By David Kabiyesi
Troubled by the demonization, which trailed the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket, it took the last-minute intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima to save the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) from another major political catastrophe, iwitnesslive. com can report.
Unknown to many, one of the top contenders, Abdulaziz Yari had bought over lawmakers from the north with his smart and self-pitying narrative that the North is being marginalized in terms of power distribution under Tinubu’s government.
But Shettima’s subtle diplomacy in appealing to lawmakers from the north, selling to them how the sensitive issue of religious imbalance could cause fresh carnage in the country if Yari is voted in as Senate President helped save the situation
Shettima’s message the to Senators-elect present at the pre-election meeting convened by Akpabio’s stability group in the popular Lagos-Osun hall of the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja was that Akpabio-Jubrin ticket will help promote stability, enhabce national cohesion and more importantly, give Christians a sense of belonging and ultimately, promote national cohesion.
He said: “I am ready to beg my colleagues. I don’t want to mention their names but I am sure I will bring about five senators from the other camp to join this group. My friend, Senator Ibrahim Geidam, will give us all the senators from Yobe State. I am working on Taraba. Let me leave it here, I don’t want to expose all strategies. I will take your permission to leave now because I still have consultations to make tonight.”
“This gathering represents the Nigerian nation. Here we are with a Muslim president and Vice President in a multi-ethnicity country like Nigeria. Justice and equidemandnds that the number three person must be a Christian. We must strive for inclusivity. This is a young nation where every community will like to be given a sense of belonging.”
His strategy eventually paid off and a balance of power was eventually achieved as Akpabio emerged Senate President.
