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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Vice President Kashim Shettima, last Tuesday, took a direct swipe at former Kaduna State Governor Senator Ahmed Makarfi, declaring, “Senator Ahmed Makarfi, I respect you enormously. You are a very decent man and a very inclusive leader. You still have value-addition capabilities, but I sometimes wonder why you are wasting away—wasting away your talents—hanging onto the coat-tails of a sinking ship.”
Though VP Shettima stopped short of mentioning Makarfi’s party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), his remark made it obvious that he believed Makarfi was wasting his time as a member of the opposition.
Shettima made the remark during the commissioning of the newly built Abba Kyari Banquet Hall at the Kaduna Government House on April 21, 2026, an event attended by several political heavyweights and dignitaries from across the country.
Despite the pointed criticism, the Vice President maintained a tone of respect for Makarfi, emphasising his leadership qualities and capacity for national contribution. His comment, however, drew attention to ongoing political tensions and realignments within Nigeria’s opposition space.
The Vice President used the occasion to commend Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for what he described as a visionary project, noting that the banquet hall reflects a broader commitment to strengthening governance and promoting dignity in public service.
According to him, “This edifice speaks to a leadership that knows that infrastructure is not only about structures, but about shaping environments that inspire confidence, attract opportunity, and project identity.”
Shettima highlighted the strategic importance of Kaduna State, describing it as central to Nigeria’s stability and progress. “We have returned to Kaduna time and again in recent months, bearing projects, policies, and promises renewed by action, because we understand the place this great state occupies in the anatomy of our nation,” he said.
He further stressed the moral obligation of leaders to prioritise the well-being of citizens, adding: “The wounded must be restored. The vulnerable must be protected. Institutions must be strengthened. Public life must be dignified.”
On the significance of the newly commissioned facility, Shettima noted that it would serve as a hub for high-level engagements. “This banquet hall stands as an enduring legacy and a solemn promise of the order, dignity, and confidence that Kaduna symbolises. It will host high-level summits, cultural exhibitions, and international dialogues, attract visitors, stimulate economic activity, and contribute to the full power of the state,” he said.
The Vice President also expressed personal appreciation for the naming of the hall after the one-time military governor of North-Central State (now Kaduna), Brigadier Abba Kyari, describing it as a fitting tribute. “To honour him in this way is to affirm values that must never fade from public life: integrity, sacrifice, and service above self,” he stated.
Former Governor Ahmed Makarfi, who was present at the event, praised the project as a significant achievement delivered within a short time frame. He also urged the state government to acknowledge the contributions of past leaders in the development of Kaduna State.
Other notable attendees included former Vice President Namadi Sambo and former Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero, among others.
Formally declaring the facility open, Shettima said, “On behalf of the President, it is now my singular honour and privilege to formally commission the Brigadier Abba Kyari Banquet Hall.”
