BY: News Peddlers
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| Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima |
Kashim Shettima, the vice presidential candidate of Nigeria's ruling party, APC, has stated that his principal, Bola Tinubu, is healthier than him, dismissing concerns that the party's presidential candidate is unfit to lead the country.
Mr Shettima stated this last week on Fashin Baki, a Facebook Live show hosted by public commentators Bulama Bukarti, Nasir Zango, Abba Hikima, and Jaafar Jaafar.
According to the former Borno governor, he and Mr Tinubu are the best options for Nigerians in the upcoming election.
Mr. Shettima stated that their records as former governors demonstrated that they are credible candidates. Borno State was governed by Mr Shettima for eight years (2011 to 2019), while Lagos was governed by Mr Tinubu for eight years (1999 to 2007).
Concerns have been raised among Nigerians about Mr Tinubu's health, with many claiming that he frequently seeks medical treatment abroad, is incoherent in his speeches, and occasionally has shaky hands, which some claim is a symptom of Parkinson's disease.
Mr Shettima, on the other hand, believes his principal is fit to lead Nigeria.
"Let me state unequivocally that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is in good health. Aside from politics, he is physically and mentally fit to be Nigeria's president.
"Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is even healthier than me as I have diabetes and hypertension, which he has none. Even the early Parkinson's disease that is being discussed is simply a lack of sleep," Mr Shettima, 56, said on the Hausa programme.
He claimed that the amount of work Mr Tinubu has had to do for the campaigns has prevented him from getting enough sleep, and that once he gets enough sleep, he will be physically and mentally fine.
"Leadership is not like unskilled labour like carrying cement bags," Mr Shettima added. "It's more mental than physical work."
Former American Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and Daniel Arap Moi of the United States, Algeria, and Kenya, respectively, led their countries to economic prosperity while on wheelchairs, he said.
"The most important thing is his track record and intellectual capacity, which I believe is sufficient to propel Nigeria forward."
The former Borno governor also discussed the APC's plans to revitalise Nigeria's educational, agricultural, and youth development sectors.
On governance continuity, he stated that they will continue with President Muhammadu Buhari's legacy, adding that the northern region will not be excluded from the administration's developmental projects.
Mr Tinubu and three others are considered major contenders among the 18 candidates. Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP are the other three candidates.
On February 25, a presidential election will be held.
(Premium Times)