A leading faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North‑Central region has urged the party’s leadership to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 general election, warning that replacing him at this stage could undermine the party’s electoral prospects.
The North‑Central APC Forum issued the statement on Thursday in Abuja, where its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, said speculation about removing Shettima from the ticket amounted to a “grave political miscalculation.”
The forum’s position followed reports suggesting moves within party circles to consider a change in the vice‑presidential candidacy, particularly to address concerns about religious balance after Shettima’s photograph was omitted from a banner at a North‑East zonal party hearing.
Zazzaga emphasised that any attempt to drop Shettima could weaken the APC’s competitiveness and risk the stability that the Tinubu‑Shettima ticket brought to the party’s 2023 success.
He argued that abandoning the current arrangement would not only jeopardise the party’s strategy but also embolden opposition forces in the lead‑up to 2027.
The forum also addressed internal party calls for a Christian running mate from the North‑Central zone, noting that the region was focusing on contesting the presidency in 2031, after Tinubu’s tenure.
Zazzaga dismissed the notion that the North‑Central was angling for the vice‑presidential slot at this stage, stressing strategic long‑term planning rather than short‑term shifts in the ticket.
Political analysts say the debate reflects broader tensions within the ruling party over religious and regional representation in national leadership positions.
Nigeria’s political landscape remains sensitive to such considerations, particularly as election cycles approach, with stakeholders weighing inclusivity against perceived electoral advantages.
In its statement, the forum argued that maintaining continuity in the current ticket would strengthen the APC’s appeal to various voter blocs and prevent unnecessary disruption to governance cohesion.
Opposition leaders, including figures within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), are expected to contest the 2027 election vigorously, making strategic unity within the APC crucial for retaining support.
The discussion around Shettima’s potential replacement has also rekindled debate on the viability of the Muslim‑Muslim ticket and the extent to which religious balance should shape political arrangements.
Critics of changing the ticket warn that altering the formula could alienate parts of the APC base while doing little to attract voters from opposition camps.
For urban voters and political stakeholders, the North‑Central APC Forum’s warning serves as an early indicator of the party’s strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 polls.
Decisions about running mates and ticket composition are likely to remain central to political discourse in the coming months as parties solidify their platforms, build coalitions and seek broader national appeal.
