2027: Dropping Shettima Could Strengthen Opposition, North-Central APC Warns Tinubu

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has rejected alleged plans to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that such a move would be a serious political error.

The forum’s stance was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, following reports that some elements within the ruling party were pushing for Shettima’s removal.

The development has reignited debates over the future of the APC’s Muslim–Muslim presidential ticket in 2027 and Shettima’s political standing.

Some party stakeholders have reportedly called for his replacement with a Christian from the North, with certain groups from the North-Central region demanding that a Christian from the area should emerge as Tinubu’s running mate in the next election.

However, the North-Central APC Forum warned that dropping Shettima would be disastrous for the party and could jeopardise President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The forum clarified that the North-Central was not angling for the vice-presidential slot, noting that the region was focused on contesting the Presidency in 2031, after Tinubu’s tenure.

Cautioning against the introduction of religious sentiment into political calculations, the forum argued that the North currently lacks a Christian candidate with the grassroots support, national appeal and political structure needed to complement Tinubu’s electoral strength as a running mate.

It stressed that abandoning the Muslim–Muslim ticket would only strengthen the opposition in 2027.

“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.

“We sincerely advise President Bola Tinubu and the leaders of the party not to listen to such calls, because such a decision will turn out to be a grievous political miscalculation,” the forum stated.

The forum further accused those championing the agitation of acting against the interests of the party and the President.

“They do not want to see President Bola Tinubu re-elected. That is the only reason anybody with political knowledge would make such a request,” the statement said.

It added that even if the opposition coalition backed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) fields Peter Obi as its presidential candidate, replacing Shettima would make no strategic difference, as many minorities in the North would still vote for Obi regardless of Tinubu’s running mate.

The forum therefore advised the President to retain Shettima to strengthen his chances in 2027, insisting that those calling for a change neither supported Tinubu in 2023 nor would they vote for him in 2027, even if their demands were met.

“If you check, you will notice that in 2023, most of their communities voted for Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

“Now, if Peter Obi comes out again in 2027 on the platform of the ADC, what is the guarantee they will vote for Tinubu even if he drops Shettima and replaces him with a Christian? That is not going to happen.

“What is likely is that Tinubu will lose support among core northerners, thereby reducing his votes and giving the advantage to Peter Obi. Basic political calculation shows that dropping Shettima makes no sense and is actually very dangerous,” the statement said.

The forum also dismissed claims that foreign powers, including the United States and other Western countries, could pressure Nigeria to abandon the Muslim–Muslim ticket in 2027.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket gave us victory in 2023. Nigeria is an independent nation, and nobody is going to dictate to us,” the forum added.