Senator Sani Musa has praised President Bola Tinubu for retaining Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

Mr Musa, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, made his position known in a statement on Saturday.

The lawmaker described the decision as a significant political boost that had strengthened the All Progressives Congress’ grip on northern Nigeria.

He said Mr Tinubu’s decision had renewed confidence across the region and positioned the APC strongly ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to Mr Musa, Mr Shettima’s retention has given the ruling party “full control of the north” ahead of the next presidential contest.

He expressed confidence that northern voters would overwhelmingly support the Tinubu-Shettima ticket in pursuit of a second term.

“The president’s decision is the most delightful gesture to the people of Northern Nigeria.

“Every person in Northern Nigeria is ready to re-elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027,” he said.

Mr Musa argued that the decision had dealt a major political setback to opposition parties and critics challenging Mr Tinubu’s re-election ambition.

He described Mr Shettima as a vital pillar of the administration’s political strength across northern Nigeria and praised his efforts at promoting regional unity.

“This is in spite of the machinations of some disgruntled elements who wanted to use a few frictions to cause disaffection among the people,” he said.

Mr Musa also commended the vice president’s contributions to governance, saying he had consistently worked to strengthen national unity.

“We have also seen how Kashim Shettima has been working to help the government maintain a united North and indeed the whole of Nigeria,” he said.

He further praised Mr Shettima’s international engagements, saying the vice president had represented Mr Tinubu competently at global forums.

“We have also seen how he has been competently representing the president on world stages,” Mr Musa added.

Mr Tinubu recently formally unveiled Mr Shettima as his running mate after submitting his nomination forms to the APC National Working Committee in Abuja.

The nomination forms were presented by the president’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, during a ceremony attended by APC leaders in Abuja.

(NAN)