TheCable

A pro-democracy group known as The Natives says Vice-President Kashim Shettima saved the country from a crisis.

The group was commenting on the role Shettima played in ensuring that lawmakers in the national assembly voted for the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while settling for their leaders.

Particularly, the vice-president was able to convince reps Muktar Betara and Yusuf Gadji, speakership hopefuls, to step down for Tajudeen Abbas, who would go on to emerge speaker of the house of representatives.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Smart Edwards, leader of the group, described Shettima as a patriot.

“Of particular mention is Kashim Shettima, whose singular action in defiance against the cacophony of misleading voices that sort to plunder us into another crisis, played a significant role that eroded the sponsors of national sabotage,” he said.

“You are unmistakably a patriot and the evidence of a reliable partner.

“We cannot fail to appreciate the Nigeria Governors Forum led by their Chairman Governor Abdulrasak Abdulrahman and the Progressive Governors Forum led by Governor Hope Uzodinma, who went out of their way to ensure the stability of Nigeria.

“Their stand was for unity and they were decisive as 36 governors stood in unison.

“By this, you have empowered the administration with visionary allies, builders and lovers of progress and prosperity, with uncommon strides of hope renewed.”

Edwards added that with the national assembly leadership now in place, President Bola Tinubu should work towards the betterment of the lives of Nigerians.

“Nigeria is now in the hands of a dedicated democrat, and must catch up for a 30 years delay in our journey to hope and prosperity for the common good of Nigerians,” he said.

“The parliament has been convened and surely it deserves an all-round goal getter, a development focused leader and a competent parliamentarian who must lead us to jobs, security, infrastructure and uncommon development of a people.

“We call on President Tinubu to keep up the spirit, the engagements, forthrightness and courage to unburden the country from its shackles.”