Despite Nigeria’s 2027 general elections still two years away, a significant political rift is emerging within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party is currently grappling with internal turmoil over an alleged scheme to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate.
The brewing crisis erupted into chaos on Sunday during a stakeholders’ meeting of APC leaders from the North-East, held in Gombe State. Originally organized to demonstrate regional support for President Tinubu’s presumed re-election bid, the gathering took an unexpected and violent turn.
Controversial Omission Triggers Uproar
Tempers flared after Mustapha Salihu, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), publicly endorsed President Tinubu’s 2027 candidacy without mentioning Vice President Shettima. His deliberate omission was interpreted by many as a snub to the region’s top political figure.
“We reaffirm the earlier decision of the National Working Committee endorsing Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for 2027,” Salihu said during his speech.
The statement sparked immediate outrage. Delegates began chanting “Shettima! Shettima!!” in protest. The situation spiraled out of control when some party members physically assaulted Salihu on stage. A video that has since gone viral shows him being struck with a plastic chair and pelted with objects as he attempted to escape the podium.
Efforts by senior party officials, including Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Bukar Dalori, to calm the situation were unsuccessful. Security operatives eventually deployed tear gas to disperse the irate crowd, forcing an abrupt end to the meeting.
North-East Delegates Reject Attempt to Sideline Shettima
Prominent delegates from Borno State, Shettima’s home region, described Salihu’s remarks as an insult to the North-East.
“This is a direct slap in the face of our region,” said Usman Aliyu, a delegate from Borno. “We are not just going to sit by. A communiqué will be released reaffirming support for the Tinubu-Shettima joint ticket.”
Another aggrieved delegate warned of dire political consequences: “If Shettima is removed from the 2027 ticket, I’ll lead my entire community to vote for Atiku Abubakar,” said an APC chieftain from Adamawa State.
Gombe Governor, Others Criticized for Silence on Shettima
Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who hosted the event and also chairs the APC North-East Governors’ Forum, came under fire for delivering a vague endorsement speech that praised Tinubu but made no mention of the Vice President.
In contrast, Governors Babagana Zulum of Borno and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe had earlier pledged full support for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket. Several members of the National Assembly from the region also voiced their backing for the joint ticket.
APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, attempted to quell tensions with a carefully worded response:
“This zone produced the number two citizen of Nigeria. We are proud of the North and proud of the country. We are proud of the Vice President. It is one ticket as enshrined in the Constitution.”
However, his ambiguous remarks failed to soothe the aggrieved delegates, many of whom continued to chant: “No Shettima, no APC in the North-East!”
Party Leaders Downplay Crisis, But Factions Remain Divided
Amid the controversy, APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, dismissed the incident as “mere political noise.”
“There’s no rift between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima. These rumours are nothing but distractions,” Arodiogbu said.
Presidential aide Daniel Bwala also denied any knowledge of plans to replace Shettima ahead of 2027.
A source who attended the meeting told The PUNCH that, contrary to Salihu’s lone position, the four other National Working Committee (NWC) members from the North-East explicitly backed the Tinubu-Shettima ticket.
“Only Mustapha Salihu refused to affirm the joint ticket,” the insider revealed.
Rumours of Political Replacement Gain Traction
Despite public denials, speculations persist that some political power blocs are lobbying for a “more influential” northern figure to partner with Tinubu in the 2027 presidential race. Observers say this could be a ploy to strengthen the APC’s appeal in key battleground states, particularly in the North.
Analysts Warn of Potential Fallout
Political analysts have expressed concern over the deepening cracks within the APC.
“This isn’t just a case of miscommunication it’s indicative of a larger internal crisis,” said analyst James Abass. “The North-East views Shettima as a symbol of their relevance in national politics. Any attempt to replace him could trigger mass defections or lead to a divided house going into 2027.”
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