Yerima Shettima, senatorial aspirant for Kaduna Central in the 2027 general elections, has dismissed the relevance of political godfathers, describing those who depend on such figures as lazy and selfish. At a press conference in Kaduna on Friday, Shettima stated he would not seek backing from political heavyweights, choosing instead to campaign on his personal achievements and public support. He argued that true political legitimacy comes from the people, not from endorsements by powerful individuals behind the scenes. "Those who rely on godfathers have no vision and are unwilling to do the work," Shettima said. "They are content to be puppets rather than leaders." He emphasized that his campaign would focus on direct engagement with voters across the senatorial district. Shettima, who is not related to the country's Vice President Kashim Shettima, positioned himself as a representative of a new political mindset that rejects patronage systems. He called on voters to reject candidates who cannot stand on their own merits. No major political party has yet nominated its candidate for the 2027 election, and several aspirants are expected to emerge in the coming months. Shettima's campaign team said he would begin grassroots mobilization immediately. The Kaduna Central senatorial district includes Zangon Kataf, Kaura, Jema'a, Sanga, Kachia, and Chikun local government areas.
When Yerima Shettima calls godfather-dependent politicians lazy and selfish, he is directly challenging a system that has long dictated power rotations in Kaduna politics. His refusal to seek heavyweight backing may be unconventional, but it exposes the fragility of candidates who emerge only through backroom clearances. If he wins without a godfather, it could weaken entrenched patronage networks; if he fails, it may prove those networks still hold absolute sway. Either outcome will signal the direction of Nigeria's evolving political culture.
