The North-Central All Progressives Congress Forum has rejected calls to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 election. The Forum warned that such a decision would be a “political miscalculation” that could jeopardize President Tinubu’s reelection bid.
The controversy surrounding Shettima’s position began when his picture was omitted from a banner featuring APC leaders in the North-East zone during a public hearing for the amendment of the party’s constitution. This sparked renewed debate over the viability of the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2027.
Some stakeholders within the party are pushing for Shettima’s replacement with a Christian from the North, citing concerns over the ticket’s electoral prospects. However, the North-Central APC Forum argued that replacing Shettima would not guarantee additional votes for President Tinubu, particularly in the North. Instead, it could lead to a loss of support among core northerners, ultimately benefiting opposition candidates.
The Forum emphasized that the North-Central region is not interested in the vice presidency, as it is focused on pursuing the presidency in 2031. It also warned against introducing religious sentiment into political calculations, noting that the North currently lacks a Christian candidate with sufficient grassroots support and national appeal to complement President Tinubu’s electoral strength.
According to the Forum, dropping the Muslim-Muslim ticket would be advantageous to the opposition in 2027. It advised President Tinubu to maintain the status quo and continue with Shettima as his running mate to ensure a successful reelection campaign.
The Forum’s chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, stated that those calling for Shettima’s replacement do not have the party’s best interests at heart and are unlikely to vote for President Tinubu regardless of his running mate. The Forum also cautioned against foreign interference in Nigeria’s electoral process, emphasizing that the country is a sovereign nation that should not be swayed by external influences.
The debate over Shettima’s position as Vice President Tinubu’s running mate is likely to continue, with significant implications for the APC’s electoral strategy in 2027. As the party navigates this challenge, it must balance competing interests and calculate the potential risks and benefits of replacing Shettima or maintaining the current ticket.
