Often, princes are mostly quite, reserved and boring. Few, however, come out as extroverts as the definition gets. Their type usually show sign of leadership qualities from young age by the number of company they keep and gain more respect and popularity than their siblings.
Whether their aristocratic background is monarchical or they are the children of a successful politician, they qualify as the society’s minority that were born with a silver spoon in the mouth.
The APC’s vice presidential candidate announced recently by the flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a real Prince of the North, though not many Nigerians know about his special status. And I am not talking about him being the son of the third Waziri of Borno.
Sen. Kashim Shettima is the son of late first indigenous Governor of the defunct Northern Region, Sir Kashim Ibrahim, who took over from Gawain Westray Bell, the colonial Governor, who handed over to him in 1962 after Nigeria became a republic and administratively independent from the Crown in London.
His friends described him as an extrovert who showed early signs of leadership quality from young age, taking after his father in so many ways. The long military rule kept him away from politics, thereby giving him opportunity to take up career in banking and worked for 14 years before being appointed Commissioner for Local Government and later Commissioner of Finance by Governor Ali Modu Sheriff.
He succeeded his political benefactor in 2011 and went on to serve for two terms as the Governor, and in 2019 he became Senator, representing Borno Central Senatorial District.
For much of his eight years in office as Borno State chief executive, the tenure was overshadowed by activities of terrorists, hampering major developments, except within the state capital and nearby local government areas. It was a period when the Boko Haram was at the peak of its insurgency.
When the Asiwaju announced his name two days ago, it did not come as a surprise to those who knew him, though most Nigerians, including yours sincerely, were expecting to hear the names of either his godson, Governor Baba Gana Zulum of Borno State or Mallam Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State.
A further inquiry from my good friends and colleagues, Ambassador Goni Modu, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Lebanon, and Ambassador Baba Ahmad Jidda, Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, reveal a whole class of politician that Kashim Shettima is, that few Nigerians know.
They said that the APC’s flag bearer made not only the right, but the best choice, as Sen. Shettima is not only popular and respected in the Northeast, but considers the entire nation as his constituency and has a vast network of friends in every corner of the country.
Credit however goes to the Asiwaju himself, who stood by Shettima throughout the “search” period. The North has always been united and I was surprised and also disappointed when it was reported a few weeks ago that APC Governors in the Northwest demanded the VP slot be given to their zone.
I am also disappointed by our Christian brothers’ lack of understanding of true democracy. Sadly, they fail to distinguish between our constitution’s backed federal character for civil service and statutory appointments on the one hand, and democratic elective positions that are purely determined through the ballot box and by powers vested on an elected presidential candidate.
I have been an advocate of a mixed Muslim-Christian ticket, but as it stands today, the APC has chosen to go for true democracy – which is, electing candidates not based on their tribe or religion, but quality Nigerians that will move the country forward in 2023.
This prince of the North will definitely add value to the ticket. It is no doubt a winning combination.
- Iyawa is former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico
