Shettima: Nigeria needs Obasanjo’s work ethic, Abacha’s ruthlessness, Buhari’s commitment — Tinubu has these qualities (updated)

Kashim Shettima, vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the country needs a presidential candidate that is focused on promoting progress.

Speaking on Thursday at the 96th anniversary celebration of the Yoruba Tennis Club in Ikoyi, Lagos state, Shettima said Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the APC, is the only candidate that has the qualities that the country needs.

The vice-presidential candidate said Tinubu has a “dose of ruthlessness” that the late Sani Abacha, a former military ruler, had, and the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to get things done.

“In 2023, we need a Nigerian leader that has the humility and generosity of spirit of Yakubu Gowon. We need a leader that has abnegation and commitment of a Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

“We need a leader that has the work ethic and broadmindedness of an Olusegun Obasanjo. We need a leader that has the situational pragmatism and understanding of Nigeria’s security, the maradonic skill of an Ibrahim Babangida.

“We need a leader with the patience and sense of responsibility and commitment, and somebody who understands the national psyche and mood of the nation of an Abdulsalami Abubakar, and in applicable circumstance, we need a leader with a dose of ruthlessness and taciturnity of general Sani Abacha.

“Nice men do not make leaders. We need a leader with intellectual acumen, with the passion to catapult this nation to a higher pedestal. We need a leader who is not bound by regional or religious sentiment.

“We need a leader that has established such records of excellence and commitment to good governance. There is no one, with all due respect, that fits this better than Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

On his part, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, said Tinubu remains the most qualified candidate with the capacity to lead Nigeria.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct a mistake in the comment attributed to Shettima — “taciturnity” not “hospitality”.