Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday urged members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to avoid “destructive politics” as the party begins internal consultations for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement titled “2027: Don’t Pull Down the Roof,” Shettima likened the APC to a family that must not tear down its own house in pursuit of individual ambitions. He called on leaders, aspirants, supporters and party elders to exercise restraint, maintain unity and focus on the democratic process.
“The political season is here again. We don’t have to pull down the roof,” the vice president wrote, noting that political activity is already underway across wards, local government areas, party offices and private homes. He said aspirants are making overtures, elders are receiving visits, and supporters are counting delegates, indicating that “our democracy still breathes.”
Shettima cautioned that each electoral cycle brings temptations that can corrupt the political environment. He warned against “mistaking disagreement for betrayal, competition for enmity, preference for exclusion, and media interpretation for truth.” The vice president emphasized that power in the republic must be negotiated, contested, persuaded and earned through proper channels.
The call comes as the APC prepares for a series of intra‑party primaries and other selection processes that will determine its candidates for the 2027 presidential, legislative and gubernatorial races. The party, which has held federal power since 2015, faces growing internal competition as a new generation of politicians seeks nomination.
Shettima’s appeal for cohesion is intended to forestall factional disputes that have, in previous election cycles, led to legal battles and splinter groups. By urging members to keep the “roof” of the party intact, the vice president seeks to preserve the APC’s electoral strength ahead of a highly contested national election.
The statement underscores the broader challenge of managing intra‑party dynamics while maintaining a stable democratic process. As the APC’s internal consultations progress, observers will watch whether the party can balance ambition with unity, a factor that could shape Nigeria’s political landscape in the run‑up to the 2027 elections.
