APC Vice Chair: Nigeria's Growth Surges Under Tinubu's Administration – An International Perspective

The National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (Northeast Zone), Mustapha Salihu, discusses with ISMAEEL UTHMAN about President Bola Tinubu’s endorsement for a consecutive term along with rumors suggesting plans to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027.

Why Did you leave out Vice President Kashim Shettima’s name when endorsing President Bola Tinubu for another term at the July 15 North-East APC Stakeholders' meeting?

The report is misleading since candidates for primary elections do not enter with vice-presidential running mates from any political party. Instead, each contender competes independently. Following their victory in the primaries, they choose their running mate afterward. Consistent with this practice, the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress resolved during its most recent national convention in Abuja to endorse President Bola Tinubu as the exclusive nominee of the party.

As the chairperson for the North-East zone and an NWC member, I simply endorsed and supported the previous backing of Tinubu by the NWC. No ill intent was involved. We adhered to proper protocols; however, certain individuals misinterpreted this due to their unfamiliarity with our party’s processes.

The outbreak of violence during the gathering was unwarranted. A single individual introduced hooligans into the venue, leading to this issue. This behavior does not align with the stance of any government, particularly not Borno’s administration. It stemmed solely from an individual known for utilizing strong-arm tactics throughout their political tenure and continues to do so. Fortunately, all parties involved recognized the gravity of the circumstance, and no one has endorsed those aggressive actions. The Vice President firmly opposes such misconduct. Given his demeanor along with that of the Governor of Borno State—who both exhibit high levels of education and sophistication—it would be beneath them to condone these outdated practices.

Who was the person behind the violence?

He acts as a political figure known for his history of intimidation and brutality, yet despite holding significant authority, he refuses to evolve or improve. Stuck in his patterns of aggression, he believes he’s contributing positively when in reality, he undermines both the integrity and governance of the nation. Associating oneself with violent tactics in politics is undesirable. In a democratic system, individuals have the liberty to voice their perspectives freely. Should those with differing viewpoints feel compelled into silence due to threats of assault, true freedoms regarding expression, assembly, and discourse cease to exist. This goes against our principles.

His actions were very unhelpful. He thought he was safeguarding the interests of those above him, yet we deeply regret any trouble his behavior might have brought upon the general populace. This does not align with our values within the APC. We view this as a singular occurrence and are taking steps to make sure all parties concerned face consequences accordingly. Such incidents will certainly not be repeated.

Have you heard about the speculations indicating that President Tinubu might remove Vice President Shettima in 2027, with individuals reportedly jockeying for position to take his place?

That exceeds my level of authority. I have no information on that matter. However, let me bring up some historical instances. Ever since 1999, every administration has faced speculations about the president wanting to remove their vice-president. This was evident during the Obasanjo-Atiku years. We recall what transpired during the short tenure of Yar'Adua and Goodluck Jonathan. Similar rumors also emerged during the Buhari-Osinbajo leadership.

Thus, the rumors regarding Tinubu replacing Shettima aren't recent developments. However, there has been no indication or concrete proof suggesting a disagreement between Tinubu and Shettima. With that noted, it remains within the authority of the President to...let's conclude here.

The North Central zone has been advocating for the Vice President position to be reserved for someone from their area. Are you prepared to step down from the VP role?

Absolutely not. We emphatically and unambiguously refuse. As part of this federation, each region and every constituent unit has the right to strive for what they deem fitting. However, we firmly believe that we should be entitled to the Vice Presidency, and we plan to retain our position.

We will use all lawful and political means to keep hold of this position via political agreement. Our plan includes meeting with representatives from the North-Central region to discuss their backing for maintaining the Vice President’s role. We work through open and unbiased political discussions, along with building agreements among elites and stakeholders. This approach allows us to reach our objectives since operating independently isn’t feasible for a zone like ours. Collaboration across different regions is essential.

What would be the response of the North-East APC if Tinubu chooses not to select his Vice-President from your region in 2027, considering it remains within the President's authority to decide on their running mate?

Much of what you're asking about goes beyond my level of authority. However, I can confirm that our backing of the President is unwavering. As I've stated numerous times, we neither do nor will ever conditionally support the President.

We are thankful that the President chose our son for the role of Vice President. Additionally, we're appreciative that he selected Nuhu Ribadu from our area as the National Security Adviser. We value the significant ministries assigned to us such as Agriculture, Health, and Humanitarian Affairs. There are further political positions distributed among us as well.

We appreciate everything and recognize the trust the President has placed in us. This is why our stakeholders chose to fully support the President without conditions—not out of necessity or due to significant political impact—but because even God, when bestowing blessings upon you, anticipates gratitude. Thus, we aim to express our thanks to the President and provide him with encouragement.

What is your response to assertions that the northern region is being sidelined during Tinubu’s presidency?

In a democratic society, every individual has the right to express their views. However, as someone trained in science, I rely on factual evidence rather than hearsay for my assessments. We should present the figures clearly. The Northern region receives the largest portion of support from this administration. Whether considering the primary revenue stream—such as the NNPCL—or lesser sources, Northerners have significant representation. Furthermore, the leader of the NNPCL hails from the north.

The complete security framework of this nation, with the highest budgetary allocation, rests under the control of an individual from the north. Government departments like those for Agriculture and Food Security, Livestock, Health, Regional Development, and Humanitarian Aid are not only some of the biggest concerning funds but also lead execution projects; these ministries are led by people hailing from northern regions.

We have a Minister of State forWorks, who oversees organizations such as the Federal Road Maintenance Agency. Both the full Minister and the Minister of State for Defence come from the northern part of the country. Additionally, the National Security Adviser is also originally from the North.

We have quite a bit to handle. Nevertheless, we won't quiet those who oppose us or stifle criticisms. It’s best for individuals to offer constructive feedback. Nigeria is our sole nation. Indeed, criticize, yet do so constructively, enabling the administration to make necessary changes. Circulating falsehoods merely fosters division rather than aiding progress.

A leader from the northern region served as president for eight years and departed just more than two years back. Was he responsible for neglecting the north too? The issues we face in the north are deeply rooted and widespread. We shouldn’t avoid talking about these challenges. Instead, let’s present them openly so that the administration can create customized remedies. This is my sincere counsel to those senior individuals from the north who voice their concerns but fail to offer constructive contributions.

The group opposing Tinubu points to financial difficulties as a key factor for requesting a shift in leadership. What do you make of this argument?

Many individuals who are now against Tinubu have received his support at different times. When their respective parties turned them away, he offered opportunities to several of these people. Throughout their career journeys, Tinubu has been instrumental in assisting numerous others. Thus, this situation can be likened to repaying kindness with ingratitude. A significant number among them hold little concern for Nigeria’s well-being; instead, they are repeat contenders focused solely on advancing the agendas of their associates and close relatives. Their primary disregard lies in how the nation fares, as long as they themselves aren’t wielding authority.

Indeed, they aim to create a coalition, yet the APC is prepared. Rest assured, we are wide awake. It’s crucial that we reconnect with the local communities and educate our constituents about the misinformation the opposition is spreading. I urge those in political positions to reach out to their roots and provide accurate guidance to the public. This way, citizens can see through the tactics being employed. Remember, Nigeria stands as one nation. Whatever benefits the North equally serves the South.

The southern region backed us in our quest to become president. For eight years, we were in charge. Now it’s their time to lead. Let’s extend our support to them as well. They should get the chance to serve for eight years just like we did. It’s crucial to maintain fairness. How can we achieve balance? Since you had an opportunity to govern peacefully, let others do so without interference too.

Has the anti-Tinubu alliance been emphasizing economic difficulties as a key argument for governmental transition? Is this rationale sufficient on its own?

Nigeria isn’t cut off from the world; we’re connected globally. Those who have traveled internationally understand that rising prices are universal. To illustrate this point, let’s consider the U.S. dollar as a benchmark. Imagine you have $100 and evaluate how much food it could purchase in Nigeria. Next, compare that amount with what $100 would cover for groceries in Ghana—would it be less than 30%? While inflation is indeed present and widespread, it hasn’t reached catastrophic levels. Nevertheless, maintaining an acceptable quality of life remains challenging. Efforts like implementing a minimum wage of ₦70,000 aim at alleviating financial strain.

There can be no reform without unexpected repercussions. This is why experts in social sciences assert that social transformation is inevitable. Such changes bring about mixed results—both positive and negative impacts. Patience is key for people as these transformations unfold. Ultimately, the advantages will emerge, and they will be significant.

As humans, we frequently lack patience and tend to move quickly past our memories. We've overlooked the times when governments struggled to distribute wages, departments operated for extended periods without receiving their salaries, and petroleum output plummeted to merely 800,000 barrels daily. Comparing those days with today doesn't interest us; doing so would only highlight minor issues stemming from decisive measures aimed at rescuing this nation.

If we had continued with the fuel subsidy program, we would likely face insolvency. However, by eliminating this subsidy, we have managed to save funds, pay off our external debt, which has made us more attractive for investments and demonstrated that we are now considered creditworthy. As a result, should we seek further loans for developing infrastructure, they will most probably be approved.

In the past, having connections with officials at the Central Bank meant you could stroll in and secure a loan of $1 million within half an hour. This often resulted in profits ranging from ₦60-70 million almost instantly. Many individuals amassed fortunes through these practices using public funds. However, nobody discusses how the current government has put an end to such activities. Instead, they focus solely on individual problems. It’s true that life is tough now, and improvements can still be made. Yet, these changes are crucial for Nigeria’s future stability and prosperity.

Following the July 15 APC North-East meeting, have you contacted the members who expressed dissatisfaction?

Certainly. Actually, right away following that gathering, our initial step was to examine the results. It became clear afterward that everything that transpired during the meeting had been planned out; it wasn’t merely an impromptu response from those present. Regardless of whether I had simply waved and departed, individuals who had been paid beforehand would still have targeted me and created chaos.

It was a matter of personal concern for just one stakeholder within the entire community. The investigation continues at this time. Some stakeholders reached out to express regret over what happened from their members' perspective. I've chosen not to dwell on these events either. Although someone tried to attack me, they did not manage to touch me since I managed to escape successfully. Such incidents come with taking up such responsibilities; thus, holding onto resentment wouldn't be beneficial for our region.

Have there been any arrests yet?

Number 1: This is considered a family matter. We prefer not starting with arrests or legal actions. Instead, we aim to examine the party’s inner workings initially for resolving the problem. Should this approach prove successful, the incident will remain undisclosed. However, should it fall short, we might resort to arrests and pursue legal measures thereafter.

God has actually curtailed the situation. It was a mob action, and someone could have been killed or seriously injured. But, by God’s grace, that didn’t happen. They didn’t even get the chance to lay a finger on me. They missed the headline they were hoping for—“Five injured, one killed at North-East APC meeting.”

The North-East Development Commission has faced criticism for its sluggish advancement. What measures are being implemented to guarantee it fulfills its assigned responsibilities?

We're unclear about their actions. The commission lacks coordination with the party. My statement is definitive on this point. We’re drafting a position document for the President regarding this issue. They aren't adhering to the Renewed Hope Agenda or the party’s manifesto. Serving as the National Vice Chairman of the party in the North-East, I have no idea what they are up to. Frankly, I'm also unsure of the location of their office.

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