2027: We’ll combine governance with politics, says Shettima

File: Shettima and Tinubu

Vice President Kashim Shettima has visited President Bola Tinubu at his Lagos residence following his return from representing the President at the 2026 United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The visit was disclosed by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, in a post on Saturday.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Shettima said he remained in constant communication with Tinubu throughout the President’s stay abroad.

“We are quite thrilled that he is back on the beat and we have been in regular contact throughout his sojourn abroad,” Shettima said.

He noted that technological advancements had made it possible for leaders to manage governance seamlessly regardless of their physical location.

“We speak almost every other day and update him on developments in the nation,” he added.

Shettima defended the administration’s key economic decisions, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange rates.

He urged citizens to exercise patience, assuring them that the government was rolling out targeted measures to cushion prevailing economic hardship.

“When we assumed the mantle of leadership, our foreign reserves were at a staggeringly low $3.9bn, which was not enough to import fuel for one month,” Shettima stated.

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He maintained that Tinubu demonstrated the requisite courage and conviction to implement far-reaching reforms, adding, “He saved the economy, and I want Nigerians to understand this fundamental truism.”

Acknowledging the economic challenges, the Vice President remarked, “We appreciate the pains Nigerians are going through, but tough times do not last forever tough people do.”

He announced that the Federal Government would launch an e-logistics project in the North-East comprising 10,600 electric tricycles, 300 buses, and e-taxis to ease transportation costs.

Shettima added that additional interventions were being finalized to support students and vulnerable citizens nationwide.

“Be rest assured that we will come up with programmes and projects to ease the pains of the people,” he pledged.

Addressing upcoming political dynamics, the Vice President stated that the administration would balance governance with politics as the 2027 general elections approach.

“Politics is in the air, but we will combine politics and governance,” he said.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that President Tinubu arrived in Lagos on Tuesday following a working vacation abroad.

He was received at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other senior government officials.