We’re All One, Shettima Tells APC, PDP, ADC, NNPP
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerian politicians across all political parties to prioritise national unity and collaboration above partisan divisions. Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the public presentation of a book titled “OPL 245:
The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigerian Oil Bloc Scandal”, Shettima urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and others to see themselves as part of one national project.
He emphasised that despite differing ideologies, all political actors are united by a shared responsibility to build the nation. “Whether you’re APC, PDP, ADC, or NNPP, we are all part of a single Nigerian project,” Shettima said. “We must see ourselves not as enemies but as partners in the business of building a better country. Political affiliation should not stop us from telling ourselves the truth or working together where necessary.”
Reflecting on his political journey, Shettima recalled being vilified during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan but noted that such challenges come with leadership.
He quoted the late Martin Luther King Jr., saying, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
The Vice President also decried the culture of silence among Nigerian public officials, urging them to document their experiences and make them available for public learning and future reflection. He commended the book’s author, Ed Obinna Obienyem, for capturing the details of the controversial OPL 245 oil deal and stressed the importance of storytelling in governance.
“There’s a culture of silence in our society. Many people get into office, do incredible things—good or bad—but once they leave, everything dies with them. We need to write. We need to tell our stories so that history will be fair to us and lessons can be learned,” he said.
The event drew a diverse audience including politicians, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, and civil society leaders. Shettima’s remarks come at a time of increasing political activity and realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, with some opposition coalitions gaining momentum.
His message of unity is seen by observers as a timely call for cooperation in the face of the country’s many challenges and as an appeal for a more reflective and accountable political culture.
