Kashim Shettima: Echoes ahead of the APC Convention 

Kashim Shettima: Echoes ahead of the APC Convention 

By: James Bwala

Apparently, there are moves to have a strategist at the helm of affairs for the APC ahead of the 2023 general elections. While the party is in search of a team player, a peace maker and a strategist, a careful study of the mood and body languages amongst bigwigs on unfolding events within the party is indicating a reverberation at the end of the February 26, 2022 convention.  Needless to go into some historical facts about part conventions, especially in the Nigerian context, as in most cases those who are seen vibrating and falling over themselves are usually those the gods often use to prepare the way for the anointed one.

Few days to the APC convention rumour making the rounds about the possible candidate for the party Chairmanship there are moves, alignment and realignment to pave way for the man to steer the ship. According to political observers, APC needs an Iroko that is accepted across interests. A man, who is a dutiful leader, one that commands respect within and without to sell the party to Nigerians who are looking for a credible outcome in 2023.

As it is, seven former governors are beating their drums for support. They have called out, meet out and sink deep to unearth all resources humanly possible to be noticed. But the party may have ended all meetings ahead of the February 26, 2022 convention on stalemate. These have left political analysts to keep permuting on who the anointed one could be. While we wait for the echoes at the end of the APC convention, political analysts are not leaving any stone unturned to unearth the man that could possibly take the day.

While all possibilities are put on the table of decision making, rumour making the rounds at the weekend suggest that for a good outing, the party needs a strategist to change the game for APC in order to keep the opposition PDP permanently in stupor.  I therefore draw on my past reports and look at the crystal ball and swing the pendulum around the political gladiators I have possibly imagined. The name Kashim Shettima keeps coming as my possible option. When I wrote about Kashim Shettima last year, I had the conviction that the former governor of Borno state and current Senator Representing Borno Central at the National Assembly may have the gods singing praises for him and again I heard the echoes ahead of the APC convention.

Talking about Kashim Shettima, his pedigree, his relationship with powers and his focus on the current events around the ruling party, no one needs that crystal ball for explanation to know that Kashim Shettima is placed on a win, win scale. The former Borno state governor has set a pace on the leadership scale to be emulated among Nigerian Politicians. He remains perhaps the only former Chief Executive currently enjoying peace and support from his successor. This cordial relationship, which Kashim Shettima enjoys amongst colleagues, was enough onion to make him everyone’s choice.

The Borno Central Senator has a good understanding of leadership and knows when and where it can be demonstrated to acquire respect from a leadership perspective. Many described him as a strategist. This also was demonstrated in his approaches to issues within the party both at state and national levels where he placed an unequal representation in the bargaining chip.

His closeness to personalities within the senate house has made him a champion in bridging gaps between the executive and legislators making the 9th senate a coordinating point for democratic association. No wonder at every occasion Kashim Shettima commanded respect both at the lower and upper Chambers whenever he stepped forward to speak on national issues. His understanding of the political play across the six geo-political zones and fitting well in all regalia of national unity made the gods pleased with him.

Indeed for a man worth his salt, when issues of who is to lead to the APC at this critical point comes up, voices across tables of decision making were more likely to go for a man like this. Perhaps beginning from Monday, 21, 2022 there would be landslide openings for Kashim Shettima to answer the Clarion call. If that happens, it is going to be a win, win situation for APC.

Kashim Shettima: Echoes ahead of the APC Convention