A recent incident involving Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has sparked fresh political intrigue within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
During a reception held in Akwa Ibom State on Saturday in honour of Governor Umo Eno, Shettima noticeably bypassed APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje in the lineup of dignitaries, refusing to shake his hand in what many observers interpreted as a calculated snub.
A video obtained by The Whistler captures the moment Shettima warmly exchanged greetings with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Eno, but visibly skipped Ganduje, who was standing third in line. Instead, he extended his hand to acknowledge others further down the row. The awkward moment left onlookers visibly shocked, fueling speculation about deepening rifts within the party’s top hierarchy.
Political Undertones Behind the Snub
The perceived slight comes amid growing uncertainty over Shettima’s role in the 2027 elections. Although the APC appears to be consolidating around President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, Shettima’s position as his running mate is increasingly being called into question. Insiders suggest that influential party stakeholders may be working behind the scenes to reconfigure the 2027 ticket, possibly excluding Shettima from the equation.
Chaos at North East APC Meeting Deepens Division
Tensions surrounding Shettima's political future came to a head earlier in the week at the APC North East Stakeholders Consultative Meeting in Gombe State. During the gathering, which was expected to project unity, the atmosphere turned volatile when party leaders openly endorsed President Tinubu for a second term but made no mention of Vice President Shettima.
Notably, Comrade Mustapha Salihu, the APC National Vice Chairman for the North East, delivered a speech endorsing the president but conspicuously left out Shettima’s name. This omission triggered chants of “Shettima! Shettima!!” from the delegates in the hall, a clear signal of grassroots discontent.
What followed was a chaotic confrontation. A known supporter of the Vice President mounted the stage in protest and physically accosted Salihu. The situation escalated rapidly as tempers flared, leading to a breakdown of order inside the Gombe International Conference Centre.
Eyewitnesses reported that chairs were flung across the room and scuffles broke out as security personnel struggled to control the enraged crowd. The pandemonium lasted for more than twenty minutes, forcing several high-ranking party members including former governors, federal lawmakers, ministers, and regional stakeholders to exit the venue abruptly.
Implications for 2027 and APC’s Internal Power Struggles
These unfolding events underscore a deepening power struggle within the APC, particularly as discussions around the 2027 elections begin to take shape. While Tinubu's candidacy appears to have strong backing, Shettima’s fate remains uncertain raising concerns about a potential reshuffling of the party’s leadership dynamics.
Political analysts warn that internal discord, especially one as visible and dramatic as the incidents in Gombe and Akwa Ibom, could weaken the party’s cohesion and public image ahead of the next general elections. For now, Vice President Shettima remains silent on the matter, but with tensions simmering, the weeks ahead are likely to reveal more about the fate of his political alliance with President Tinubu.
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