Replacing Shettima in 2027 Would Be Grave Error, North-Central APC Forum Warns Tinubu
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has warned that replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 election would be counterproductive and a serious political miscalculation capable of jeopardising Tinubu’s reelection.
The Forum said the North currently lacks a Christian aspirant with the grassroots backing, nationwide acceptance and political structure required to effectively complement President Tinubu’s electoral strength as a vice-presidential candidate.
The warning comes amid growing speculation that some forces within the ruling party are pushing for Shettima’s replacement following the omission of his photograph from a banner displayed at the North-East Zonal Public Hearing on the amendment of the APC constitution in Maiduguri.
The banner featured President Tinubu, the five APC governors from the North-East and the party’s National Legal Adviser, but excluded the Vice President.
This development has reignited debate over the future of the APC’s Muslim–Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections and raised questions about Shettima’s political standing.
Some party stakeholders and groups, particularly from the North-Central, have called for Shettima to be replaced with a Christian from the North in the next election.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday, the North-Central APC Forum warned that dropping Shettima would spell danger for the party and harm President Tinubu’s chances in 2027.
The Forum said it was not seeking the vice-presidential slot, stressing that its focus is on contesting the presidency in 2031 after the completion of Tinubu’s tenure.
It also cautioned against injecting religious sentiment into political calculations, insisting that no Christian candidate in the North currently possesses the political reach and structure needed to add value to Tinubu’s ticket.
In the statement signed by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum argued that abandoning the Muslim–Muslim ticket would only strengthen the opposition.
“There is serious danger in changing a winning ticket. We totally and unequivocally reject calls and plans to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the next election,” the statement said.
It added that party leaders should ignore such calls, warning that doing otherwise would amount to a grievous political miscalculation.
The Forum alleged that those pushing for Shettima’s removal do not have the interest of the APC or Tinubu at heart and are working against his reelection.
Analysing voting patterns in the North, the Forum said Tinubu would not gain additional votes by replacing Shettima.
It warned that dropping the Vice President on religious grounds would instead lead to loss of support and votes for the President in the region.
The Forum further stated that even if the opposition coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC) fields Peter Obi as its presidential candidate, replacing Shettima would not change the dynamics, as most minorities in the North would still vote for Obi regardless of Tinubu’s running mate.
It advised President Tinubu to retain Shettima and maintain the status quo to secure victory in the 2027 election.
Insisting that those demanding a change to the Muslim–Muslim ticket did not support Tinubu in 2023 and would not support him in 2027, the Forum said many of their communities voted for Peter Obi in the last election.
“We don’t see any reason President Tinubu should listen to those asking him to change Shettima,” the statement added.
“These people did not contribute to his victory in 2023. Tinubu should ignore them and go ahead with Vice President Shettima, because changing him will only drive away loyal voters.”
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.
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