Tinubu-Shettima Ticket Silences Critics, Reflects Strong Partnership – APC NWC Member
By Core Reporters
Abuja (Core Reporters) Aare Hon. Tolu Bankole, Member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed confidence in his Vice Senator Kashim Shettima as clear proof of a working partnership that has delivered results and defied the pre-election tirades of critics.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, July 13, 2026, Bankole said the President’s choice of Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate again underscores the administration’s commitment to continuity, competence, and a governance model built on trust and shared vision.
“From the very beginning, this ticket was subjected to unprecedented scrutiny, doubts, and outright hostility,” Bankole stated.
“Many predicted that the pairing would not work. Some questioned the character, the chemistry, and the capacity of the partnership to steer Nigeria through difficult times. Three years on, those predictions have been proven wrong.”
The APC chieftain recalled the major pre-election narratives that trailed the Tinubu-Shettima ticket: concerns over religious balancing, doubts about regional cohesion, and claims that the partnership lacked the temperament to manage Nigeria’s complex diversities.
“Today, Vice President Kashim Shettima has beaten those odds. He has shown competence in coordinating critical economic and social interventions. He has shown character in standing firm with the President on tough but necessary reforms. And he has shown humility in carrying out his duties without seeking the spotlight, always putting the interest of the nation first,” he said.
Bankole noted that since inauguration, Vice President Shettima has led key government initiatives including the National Economic Council, the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation programmes, and diplomatic engagements that have projected Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda across Africa and beyond.
“The Vice President has been more than a constitutional spare tyre. He has been a partner in governance, a stabilizing force, and a bridge between government and critical stakeholders at the state and grassroots levels,” he added.
According to Bankole, President Tinubu’s decision to retain confidence in Vice President Shettima sends a strong signal about the direction of the government.
“It means stability for the ongoing programmes and policies of this administration. It means that the fiscal reforms, infrastructure drive, security architecture, and social investment plans will continue with the same team that designed and started them. It means Nigerians can expect consistency, not confusion; consolidation, not experiment,” he said.
He further stated that the renewed partnership will deepen policy implementation ahead of 2027, especially in areas of food security, job creation, digital economy, and national security.
“As we move forward, this administration needs unity of purpose at the very top. What President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima have built is a model of mutual respect and shared responsibility. It is a partnership that Nigerians can trust to deliver,” Bankole said.
He called on party members, government officials, and citizens to rally behind the President and Vice President to ensure the Renewed Hope Agenda succeeds.
“As we celebrate this renewed vote of confidence, let us commit to supporting the government to build a Nigeria where no child is left behind, no community is forgotten, and no reform is abandoned halfway,” he concluded.
