Tension Rocks APC As North-East Leaders Endorse Tinubu, Exclude Shettima
There was pandemonium at the All Progressives Congress (APC) North-East stakeholders’ meeting held in Gombe on Sunday as party leaders exchanged harsh words over the omission of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s name from the list of endorsements for the 2027 general elections.
Comrade Mustapha Salihu, APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), stirred controversy when he endorsed President Bola Tinubu for re-election but failed to mention Shettima.
“On behalf of the North-East, we want to declare our support for President Bola Tinubu to run for a second term,” Salihu said.
As murmurs spread across the conference hall, some delegates began shouting “What about Shettima?” and “Mention our son!” Others accused Salihu of betrayal.
The situation worsened as the crowd booed and hurled insults, forcing security to swiftly whisk Salihu away from the podium.
Sensing the growing discontent, Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, took the microphone and tried to calm the delegates.
“We support President Bola Tinubu and our son, Vice President Kashim Shettima, for continuity beyond 2027,” Dalori said.
Even this effort did little to douse the tension, as murmurs and arguments persisted among delegates.
Shortly after, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje addressed the gathering. He praised President Tinubu’s achievements and urged members to remain united.
However, Ganduje also avoided any mention of Vice President Shettima in his remarks.
“We must rally around President Tinubu for the progress of our party and the nation,” Ganduje said.
As he stepped down from the podium, several delegates booed and shouted, “Where is Shettima’s name?”
Security personnel again had to intervene, escorting Ganduje out amid protests and chants from the crowd.
One aggrieved party member from Borno, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “This is a disgrace. How can they come to the North-East and ignore our son? We won’t accept it.”
Another delegate added, “If Shettima is not part of the plan, then count us out.”
The meeting, which was intended to foster unity ahead of the 2027 elections, ended abruptly without a formal communiqué.
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.
