By Comrade Salihu Dantata Mahmud
The selection and subsequent emergence of a former two-term Governor of Borno State and Senator, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shetima as a running mate who won the election, alongside Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the 2023 Presidential election, did not come to Nigerians as a surprise.
This is going by his positive antecedents as a former Governor in Borno state, who despite the insurgency achieved in areas of education through the building of modern school structures equipped with computers, and other learning facilities in both primary and secondary schools.
Areas of care for internally displaced people in camps were not also left out with feeding, health care delivery and incentives including shelter. Infrastructural facelifts in both the state capital and outskirts were not also left out which justified the allocations received under him. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu aware of the giant strides of Shetima picked him as his deputy. In 2007, Obasanjo singlehandedly favoured the late Umaru YarAdua based on his achievements in Katsina state as governor same criteria used by Tinubu to pick Shetima. There is no doubt that Kashim Shetima as the vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria is the leader of the north government-wise and the highest political office holder. The task ahead of him is enormous going by how insecurity and poverty have pervaded the north. The office of the vice President under Shetima we are optimistic will initiate poverty alleviation tactics and ideas on empowerment, job creation, soft loans, scholarship awards,skill acquisition and self-reliance. Since independence, the north has produced different vice Presidents from Late General Shehu Musa YarAdua under the military regime as deputy chairman, supreme military council, Tunde Idiagbon on the same status under the military,Atiku Abubakar as democratically elected vice President under Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007. Namadi Sambo as Vice President to Goodluck Jonathan and now Senator Kashim Shetima. From insecurity to poverty, poor infrastructure and other social vices, the elderly northern union, Arewa consultative forum and other youthful northern groups like the Arewa Youths for peace and security, Arewa consultative youth Assembly and other should support Kashim Shetima inorder to succeed. No matter what,the north remains one irrespective of geopolitical and religious difference. His ability to manage a secular state like Borno that has minority Christian tribes stands him high. His tenure in Borno was devoid of ethnic and religious crisis between Muslims and Christians. As Shetima emerges as the incumbent northern leader,much is also expected from him on unity,development and progress of the entire north..
Salihu Dantata is the Secretary General of the Arewa youths for peace and security
