2027: North-Central APC Forum Warns Against Dropping Shettima as VP
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has issued a stern warning against any moves to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general election, describing such proposals as a “grievous political miscalculation.”
In a statement released on Thursday in Abuja by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the forum emphatically rejected growing speculation that certain power blocs within the ruling party are pushing for Shettima’s removal in favor of a Christian candidate from the North.
The controversy gained traction recently after Vice President Shettima’s photograph was conspicuously omitted from a banner displaying APC leaders during the party’s zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments in Maiduguri.
The omission reignited debates regarding the viability of the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket for a second term, with some groups from the North-Central specifically lobbying for the vice-presidential slot to be zoned to a Christian from their region.
However, the North-Central APC Forum dismissed these agitations, arguing that replacing Shettima would alienate core northern voters without guaranteeing new support from minority blocs.
“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,” Zazzaga stated.
The forum contended that the North currently lacks a Christian politician with the requisite grassroots structure and national appeal to match Shettima’s value on the ticket. It warned that succumbing to religious sentiments would only strengthen the opposition.
Analyzing the voting patterns, the forum noted that communities clamoring for a Christian VP largely voted for Peter Obi of the Labour Party in 2023.
It argued that even if Tinubu were to pick a Christian running mate in 2027, these voters would likely still support Obi, who is expected to run on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), leaving Tinubu with a depleted base in the core North.
“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 read.
The forum also clarified that the North-Central region is not interested in the vice-presidency at this time. Instead, the zone is strategically focused on producing the President in 2031 after Tinubu completes his tenure.
Addressing potential external pressure, the group insisted that Nigeria is a sovereign nation and should not bow to influence from Western countries regarding its leadership choices. “The Muslim-Muslim ticket gave us victory in 2023… nobody is going to dictate to us,” the forum added.
