Shettima Outlines Governance Strategy Ahead of 2027 Elections
Vice President Kashim Shettima said the administration led by President Bola Tinubu will combine governance with politics as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
Shettima made the remarks on Saturday after visiting the president at his residence in Lagos. The visit occurred following President Tinubu’s return from New York, where he represented Nigeria at the 2026 United Nations General Assembly.
Dada Olusegun, the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, disclosed the meeting in a post on Saturday. Shettima told journalists that he had maintained constant communication with Tinubu during the president’s stay abroad.
"We are quite thrilled that he is back on the seat and we have been in regular contact throughout his sojourn abroad," Shettima said. He noted that technological advancements allowed leaders to manage governance seamlessly regardless of physical location, adding that he spoke with Tinubu "almost every other day" to update him on national developments.
Economic Defense and Transportation Initiatives
During the visit, Shettima defended the administration’s key economic decisions, specifically citing the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange rates. He pointed to the state of foreign reserves at the time the administration assumed office as justification for these measures.
Shettima stated that foreign reserves were at a low of $3.9 billion when Tinubu took office. He urged citizens to exercise patience regarding current economic hardships, affirming that the government was rolling out targeted measures to cushion the impact on the populace.
The vice president also announced specific interventions aimed at easing transportation costs in the North-East region. Shettima said the Federal Government would launch an e-logistics project comprising 10,600 electric tricycles, 300 buses, and e-taxis.
Additionally, Shettima pledged that further interventions were being finalized to support students and vulnerable citizens nationwide. He did not provide specific details on the timeline or funding for these additional measures during the press interaction.
President’s Return to Lagos
President Tinubu arrived in Lagos on Tuesday following a working vacation abroad. He was received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other senior officials upon his arrival.