Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has publicly criticised former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, urging him to reconsider his continued association with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which Shettima described as a “sinking ship.” Speaking on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the commissioning of the newly constructed Abba Kyari Banquet Hall at the Kaduna Government House, Shettima acknowledged Makarfi’s leadership qualities but questioned why the experienced politician was “wasting his talents holding onto the coat-tails of a sinking platform.” While the Vice President did not explicitly name the PDP, his remarks were clearly directed at the main opposition party, where Makarfi remains a prominent figure.
Shettima’s comments came during a ceremony attended by several dignitaries, including Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and other political leaders. The Vice President praised Makarfi as “a very decent man and an inclusive leader” but expressed concern that such a capable politician was not making the most of his political relevance. “Senator Ahmed Makarfi, I respect you enormously. You still have value to offer, but I sometimes wonder why you are wasting your talents holding onto the coat-tails of a sinking ship,” Shettima said. The remark was met with a mixture of applause and murmurs from the audience, reflecting the charged political atmosphere as the country gears up for the 2027 general elections.
Makarfi, who served as Kaduna State Governor from 1999 to 2007 and later as a Senator, has remained a key figure in the PDP despite the party’s electoral defeats in 2015, 2019, and 2023. He has also served as the party’s National Caretaker Committee Chairman, steering the PDP through turbulent times. However, the party has struggled to regain its former dominance, and internal crises have further weakened its structure. Shettima’s remarks are seen as part of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s ongoing strategy to lure experienced opposition figures into its fold, a tactic that has already seen several high-profile defections in recent months.
The Vice President’s statement also reflects the APC’s confidence in its own staying power. With President Bola Tinubu’s administration implementing controversial reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates, the ruling party is keen to project an image of stability and continuity. By publicly calling out Makarfi, Shettima is sending a message to other opposition leaders that their futures may be brighter within the APC than outside it. The Vice President emphasised that Makarfi still has much to offer to national development, implying that his talents were being underutilised in an opposition party that, in Shettima’s view, is on a downward trajectory.
Reactions to Shettima’s comments have been swift and divided. Supporters of the Vice President hailed his remarks as courageous and truthful, arguing that the PDP has indeed become a sinking ship plagued by defections, litigation, and a lack of coherent direction. They pointed to the recent leadership crisis in the PDP, which has seen the party split into factions loyal to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike. The party’s inability to resolve its internal disputes, they argue, has rendered it ineffective as an opposition force.
On the other hand, PDP stalwarts have condemned Shettima’s statement as disrespectful and a cheap political stunt. A spokesman for the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, dismissed the Vice President’s comments, saying, “The APC is the sinking ship, not the PDP. Nigerians are suffering under Tinubu’s failed policies, and it is only a matter of time before the people throw them out.” Ologunagba also reminded Shettima that the PDP remains the only party that has governed Nigeria for an uninterrupted 16 years and that its current challenges are temporary. Makarfi himself has not yet publicly responded to Shettima’s remarks. However, sources close to the former governor indicate that he was taken aback by the Vice President’s tone but is unlikely to leave the PDP, where he has invested decades of political capital.
The Abba Kyari Banquet Hall, named after the former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari who died in 2020 from COVID-19 complications, provided an apt backdrop for Shettima’s address. The hall is a symbol of the APC-led administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, a point the Vice President was keen to underscore. He used the occasion to highlight the achievements of the Tinubu administration, including the recent cabinet reshuffle and the approval of new infrastructure loans, as evidence that the APC is focused on delivering tangible results. In contrast, he argued, the opposition is mired in petty squabbles and has failed to present a credible alternative to Nigerians.
Political analysts have interpreted Shettima’s remarks as part of a broader realignment ahead of the 2027 elections. The APC is reportedly courting several opposition figures, including some from the PDP and the Labour Party, to broaden its support base and weaken potential challengers. Makarfi, with his cross-sectional appeal and reputation for integrity, would be a valuable addition to the ruling party, especially in the northern region where the APC faces growing discontent over economic hardship. However, it remains to be seen whether Makarfi will reciprocate the Vice President’s overture. The former governor has previously described defecting to the APC as “unthinkable,” though political fortunes can change rapidly.
The event in Kaduna also highlighted the ongoing friendship between Shettima and Governor Uba Sani, both of whom are seen as rising stars within the APC. The Vice President praised Sani for his developmental strides in Kaduna State, including the completion of the banquet hall, which he described as a testament to the governor’s dedication to public service. The commissioning ceremony was attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders, and members of the business community, all of whom received the Vice President warmly.
As the 2027 election cycle gathers momentum, Shettima’s remarks are likely to be remembered as one of the earliest shots in what promises to be a fiercely contested political battle. Whether Makarfi will heed the Vice President’s advice or remain in the PDP is a question that only the former governor can answer. For now, the ball is in Makarfi’s court. But one thing is clear: the APC is not shy about poaching talent from the opposition, and it is willing to use public platforms to make its case.
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