- No One Can Force Way Into Presidency – Shettima Blasts Obidients, Peter Obi
- He supported South-East presidency but criticised some supporters’ approach.
- Okorocha, Umahi named as better prepared leaders than Peter Obi.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that no individual can force their way into Nigeria’s presidency, stressing that leadership in the country requires broad national support.
Shettima made the remarks in a viral video, where he described Nigeria’s political system as one shaped by diverse ethnic and religious interests, requiring careful engagement across regions.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that according to him, anyone seeking power must build strong relationships nationwide rather than rely on pressure or coercion.
He said he supports the idea of a president emerging from the South-East, noting that such a development could help address long-standing concerns linked to the Nigerian Civil War.
However, he warned that the approach adopted by some supporters from the region could undermine that objective.
The Vice President also stated that there are individuals from the South-East he considers better prepared for national leadership than Peter Obi.
He cited Rochas Okorocha as a figure with wide national connections, highlighting his experience across different parts of the country, including the North and Lagos.
Shettima also mentioned David Umahi, commending his record in office, particularly in infrastructure development in Ebonyi State.
He said: “In a multi-ethnic, multi-religious politics like ours, nobody can bulldoze his way to power through deceit, lies, intimidation, threats and blackmail. You get to power by building bridges, by reaching out.
“I am for the emergence of a Nigerian president of South-Eastern extraction to heal the wounds of the civil war. But the models of engagement adopted by the delusional audiovisual crowd is condemnable and it will take them nowhere.
“Shehu Musa Yar’Adua crisscrossed the whole of this nation building bridges and when he defeated the late Lateef Jakande in Lagos and Lateef Jakande invited him to a contest, to a popularity contest along the streets of Lagos, he retorted by saying go for that contest with Sarumi because it was Sarumi and co. It was the likes of Sarumi and Bola Tinubu that delivered Lagos during the presidential primaries.
“I believe even in the South-East there are better qualified people to rule this nation than Gregory.
“Honestly, I dare to mention my friend Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha. He was born, bred, buttered and toasted in the North. He speaks Hausa with local fluency. He made his money in the North and in Lagos and he’s at home in all parts of the country.
“We have David Umahi. Yes, you can call him a provincial politician but there’s no governor in the South-East that has performed better than David Umahi. Go to Ebonyi and see the roads constructed by him, then you’ll come to appreciate this great son of Africa.”
