From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
A senatorial aspirant for Kaduna Central in the 2027 general elections, Yerima Shettima, has rejected the idea of political godfatherism, insisting that he would rather rely on his track record and popular support than seek endorsements from powerful figures.
Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna on Friday, Shettima said although he has longstanding relationships with key political actors, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, he would not leverage such ties to secure political advantage.
“I don’t want to use godfathers. Otherwise, Tinubu and Sani are for me. We are ready for the primaries. Give us a level playing field, and we will deliver for the party, for the President, and for the people,” he said
Shettima, who traced his political roots to pro-democracy struggles during Nigeria’s military era, said he worked closely with several activists and leaders, including Tinubu, during what he described as the “dark days” of the country’s history.
According to him, his involvement in politics evolved naturally from years of advocacy rather than personal ambition for power or wealth.
“I never saw myself going into mainstream politics, but I found myself here because of my commitment to the struggle for democracy,” he said.
The aspirant explained that his decision to address the media was prompted by rumours suggesting that certain candidates in Kaduna Central had been “anointed” by powerful figures, including the president.
He dismissed such claims as false and undemocratic, warning that attempts to impose candidates undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
“For me, if you believe in yourself and you have the support of the people, why do you need anybody to anoint you or give you automatic tickets?” he queried.
Shettima argued that godfatherism breeds impunity and weakens accountability, as elected officials who emerge through such arrangements often feel beholden to their sponsors rather than the electorate.
“This is the genesis of the problems we have in our political system. When leaders emerge without a social contract with the people, they have no reason to serve them,” he said.
He called for a more transparent and competitive process ahead of party primaries, urging aspirants to engage directly with voters rather than rely on backdoor endorsements.
On the issue of consensus candidacy, Shettima said the process must be based on mutual agreement among aspirants, not unilateral imposition.
“Consensus should involve all parties sitting together and agreeing. I was never contacted, and I am a leading aspirant in Kaduna Central,” he stated.
The aspirant also cautioned against actions that could create disaffection within party ranks, noting that internal democracy is critical to electoral success.
While reaffirming his support for President Tinubu and the Kaduna State governor, Shettima maintained that fairness and due process must prevail if the party hopes to secure victory in future elections.
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