Oct 13, 2026

Shettima: Tinubu Saved Nigeria from Implosion

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

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Abuja, Nigeria—October 13, 2026—Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians to celebrate President Bola Tinubu rather than demonize him, insisting that the President’s tough economic decisions saved the nation from total collapse.

In remarks circulating widely on social media, including a video shared by popular commentator Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz), Shettima stated: “President Tinubu saved the nation from implosion. Instead of demonising him, Nigerians ought to celebrate this poor man.”

Context of the Remarks

The comments form part of a broader defence of the administration’s economic reforms that Shettima delivered after meeting Tinubu at the President’s Lagos residence earlier this month.

The Vice President painted a stark picture of the economy the government inherited in 2023.

According to Shettima, Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at a critically low $3.9 billion—insufficient to cover even one month of fuel imports.

He argued that without the removal of the fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple exchange rates, the country was “on the road to Caracas,” a reference to Venezuela’s well-documented economic crisis.

“The economy was actually teetering on the verge of collapse. He saved the economy,” Shettima said. “I want Nigerians to understand this fundamental truism. We were on the road to Caracas. He saved our economy; he saved the nation from falling into pieces.”

Call for Understanding Amid Hardship

While acknowledging the widespread economic pain many citizens continue to feel, Shettima appealed for patience and generosity toward the President.

He described Tinubu as having “empathy for the common man” and pointed to ongoing and upcoming interventions designed to ease the burden.

These include plans to roll out thousands of electric tricycles, buses and taxis in the North-East and other regions as part of e-logistics programmes aimed at reducing transportation costs.

The Vice President’s remarks come as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) intensifies mobilization ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Shettima and other party leaders emphasizing the long-term benefits of the current reforms.

Public Reaction and Political Significance

The video of Shettima’s comments has drawn mixed reactions online. Supporters of the administration share it as validation of the difficult choices made since 2023, while critics argue that the ongoing hardship experienced by ordinary Nigerians cannot be overlooked by framing the President as a sacrificial “poor man.”

As Nigeria continues to navigate the effects of major policy shifts, Shettima’s intervention underscores the government’s determination to defend its record and rally public support for continuity.