Radda dismisses vice presidential ambition rumours
Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State, Salihu Isa Nataro, has told the Kebbi State Governor, Dr Mohammed Idris, to focus on delivering the dividends of democracy to his state instead of distracting himself with who becomes President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in 2027.
Nataro explained that his call on Vice President Kashim Shettima to consider excusing himself from office was a personal opinion on how to avert the ongoing distractions and concerns for the impact of politicking on the success of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The APC chieftain regretted that instead of Idris concerning himself with the insecurity and rising poverty in Kebbi, allegedly caused by his wrong policy choices, he mobilised his aides to mount vicious attacks on his person.
“In a space of 24 hours, I received a lot of threatening messages and abuses for no justifiable reasons. The last time I checked, Governor Idris did not work for the success of the Tinubu/Shettima ticket.”
“President Tinubu knows my contributions to the joint ticket and to our great party. I do not want to speak about President Tinubu’s closeness to my family, because I have never fought for personal aggrandisement. My interest in public service is to fight for the less privileged.
“My philanthropic activities tally with the tradition of my royal family in Jega. So, for Governor Idris’ goons to claim that I am a nobody who flies in the face. The governor is hiding behind my call on Shettima to consider quitting if it is obvious that he was no longer wanted, to attack my person.”
While noting that the Kebbi governor had not forgiven him for asking him to publish the state’s revenue and expenditure profile, Nataro recalled how the governor instigated the Ministry of Works to demolish his family’s house after calling him out on reckless spending and blind contract awards.
MEANWHILE, the Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, has dismissed circulating rumours about his alleged vice presidential ambition, insisting that his singular focus remains serving the people of the state.
Radda stated this during the distribution of bags of grains and cash assistance to victims of insecurity in Dutsinma Local Government Area.
Recent reports had speculated that President Bola Tinubu might not field Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate should he choose to run for another term in office in 2027.
This has led to unconfirmed calls from some quarters in the state, for the President to choose Radda as his running mate, with the calls leading to rumours that the governor had begun lobbying for the VP slot.
But speaking at the Dustinma event, the governor said there was nothing of the sort per his ambition to become the nation’s number two citizen.
“I’ve seen posters and messages suggesting I’m pursuing another office. Let me make clear: I sought your mandate to serve as the Governor of Katsina State, and that is my only focus,” he said.
