Vice President Kashim Shettima says the Federal Government will combine governance with political activities as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Shettima stated this after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the President’s Lagos residence on Saturday.
The Vice President had returned to Nigeria after representing Tinubu at the 2026 United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Shettima said he had remained in regular contact with the President during his time abroad.
“We speak almost every other day and update him on developments in the nation,” he said.
Shettima also defended some of the administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and the harmonisation of foreign exchange rates.
According to him, the reforms were necessary despite the hardship they have caused Nigerians.
He said the country’s foreign reserves stood at $3.9bn when the administration assumed office, arguing that the amount was insufficient to finance fuel imports for a month.
“He saved the economy, and I want Nigerians to understand this fundamental truism,” Shettima said of Tinubu’s economic policies.
The Vice President acknowledged the economic difficulties facing citizens but urged Nigerians to remain patient, assuring them that the government was working on measures to reduce the impact.
“We appreciate the pains Nigerians are going through, but tough times do not last forever; tough people do,” he said.
Shettima also announced plans by the Federal Government to introduce an e-logistics initiative in the North-East, involving 10,600 electric tricycles, 300 buses and electric taxis.
He said the government was also finalising other interventions targeted at students and vulnerable Nigerians.
On the 2027 elections, Shettima said political activities would increase but would not distract the administration from governance.
“Politics is in the air, but we will combine politics and governance,” he said.
