APC Risks Defeat in 2027 If Tinubu/Shettima Ticket Is Altered – Yerima
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Haruna Yerima, has cautioned the ruling party against altering the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that any such move could spell disaster for the APC.
Yerima, a former member of the House of Representatives, issued the warning in a statement released in Abuja on Sunday.
He said those pushing for a change in the existing ticket are the same individuals who opposed the Tinubu/Shettima pairing during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that tampering with the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket would not augur well for the APC in the 2027 general elections,” Yerima said.
He described the renewed agitation as troubling, insisting that those who doubted the ticket’s electoral strength in 2023 are now working to dismantle it.
“It is appalling that those who never believed the Tinubu/Shettima ticket would deliver victory in 2023 are now working round the clock to change it.
“They should be stopped now, else the ruling party will suffer its greatest defeat in 2027.”
Yerima also faulted arguments that the vice-presidential slot should be moved to the North-Central or North-West zones by replacing Shettima with a Christian candidate.
He described such thinking as short-sighted and politically naive.
According to him, the North-Central zone has already been adequately accommodated in the current administration through several top federal appointments.
“The North-Central and the North-West zones that are canvassing for the 2027 vice-presidential ticket are fully rewarded with prominent appointments,” he said.
He listed positions such as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Minister of Defence, APC National Chairman, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, and the Chief of Army Staff.
The APC chieftain also dismissed claims that alleged international pressure, including issues raised by United States President Donald Trump, was a factor in calls to alter the ticket.
“It is a fallacy that the United States President would determine who the Nigerian Vice President should be.
“This is the handiwork of political jobbers and fifth columnists.”
He further defended Vice President Kashim Shettima, describing him as loyal, competent and intellectually sound.
“It is on record that Senator Kashim Shettima has been a very loyal and competent deputy to President Bola Tinubu.
“He is not noisy, and even his political detractors can’t deny that he is a competent powerhouse with strong intellectual capabilities.”
Yerima added that Shettima’s political background and experience speak for themselves.
The statement comes amid growing speculation over Shettima’s future on the 2027 ticket.
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, had recently raised concerns over the exclusion of Shettima’s photograph from a banner displayed at a North-East governors and APC stakeholders’ meeting in Maiduguri.
This development occurred as some political actors reportedly began floating names such as former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, Minister of Defence Christopher Musa, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev Matthew Hassan Kukah, as possible replacements for the Vice President.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
