The Northern Vanguard, a political advocacy group based in Abuja, has warned against what it described as desperate attempts to sow discord between President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Edward Gulak, president of the group, said political detractors had launched an “orchestrated campaign of discord” aimed at weakening the synergy between the two top leaders.
Gulak said the working relationship between Tinubu and Shettima remained solid, describing the current atmosphere in the presidency as one of “uncommon loyalty, harmony, and shared vision”.
His words: “We are aware that some political merchants, driven by envy and personal bitterness, are hoping to manufacture a rift between President Tinubu and Vice-President Shettima to destabilise this administration ahead of 2027.
“These rogue elements are disappointed that the president and his vice are working in seamless unity. Unlike what played out between former President Obasanjo and his then vice, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the relationship between Tinubu and Shettima has remained unshakeable, fortified by mutual respect and purpose.”
Gulak commended Tinubu for what he called “an inspired decision” to pick Shettima as his running mate in 2023, saying the former Borno governor had lived up to the expectations of the office.
He stated: “Mr President must be commended for the foresight he showed in picking Senator Kashim Shettima—a man of character, discipline, and strategic depth—as his partner in progress.
“Those who underestimated his impact in the corridors of power now recognise that Shettima brings much more than symbolic balance to this ticket; he brings substance.”
The group described Shettima as “a cerebral, loyal, and pragmatic public servant who has chosen to subordinate personal ambition to national interest”.
“Shettima is not just a former governor with experience; he is an intellectual force, a patriot, and one of the few leaders who fully understands the complexities of Nigeria’s security, economy, and regional dynamics,” Gulak said.
He warned that any attempt to ignite division between the two leaders would be resisted by Nigerians who desire stability and continuity.
“Nigerians are not interested in palace gossip or recycled scripts of infighting. They want leadership that works, that listens, and that delivers. And that is exactly what this duo is offering. If you destabilise them, you destabilise Nigeria,” he said.
The group stated that the cooperation between Tinubu and Shettima presents a rare opportunity for the country to establish political stability that extends beyond election cycles.
“Those who wanted to turn the Villa into a boxing ring between principal and deputy must now accept that history will not repeat itself.
“Vice-President Shettima has shown uncommon maturity and statesmanship. He has remained loyal to his principal, refrained from unnecessary headlines, and committed himself to the business of governance,” the group added.
The group also appealed to the media and public commentators to avoid what it called “subtle manipulations by agenda-driven actors who seek to invent a crisis where none exists”.
It urged politicians to focus on nation-building and resist the urge to fan the flames of division ahead of the next elections.
