Fresh political tension is brewing within Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) amid reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may be considering replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 general elections.
The speculation, which has been quietly circulating in political circles for months, came to a dramatic head on Sunday during the APC North-East stakeholders' meeting held in Gombe. What was meant to be a routine party gathering showcasing unity and electoral preparedness spiraled into open chaos following controversial remarks or rather, omissions by key party leaders.
According to eyewitness accounts reported by Punch, the atmosphere turned volatile after the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, gave a speech endorsing President Tinubu for a second term but conspicuously failed to mention Vice President Shettima.
The omission triggered an immediate and visceral reaction from delegates, many of whom view Shettima, a former Borno State governor, as the political lifeline of the North-East within the Tinubu administration. A video that has since gone viral shows delegates erupting into chants of “Shettima! Shettima!!” as the tension quickly escalated.
The situation worsened when an enraged supporter stormed the stage and struck Salihu with a chair. Another hurled a plastic bucket at him before security personnel intervened and escorted him out of the venue. The disorder disrupted the meeting and signaled growing discontent within the party’s North-East bloc.
Further aggravating the situation, APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, in his closing address, also failed to mention Shettima a second perceived snub that intensified already simmering frustrations. Attendees again erupted in chants, this time more defiant: “No Shettima, no APC in the North-East!”
Multiple high-ranking APC insiders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Punch that the rumors about a possible change in the vice-presidential ticket have been under internal discussion. The rationale, sources claim, stems from strategic considerations as Tinubu allegedly aims to strengthen his political standing in regions where the APC faced voter resistance during the 2023 elections.
“The President is exploring political options and alliances. Nothing is decided yet, but there’s talk of making adjustments to ensure a broader coalition,” said one source familiar with the matter.
The idea of replacing Shettima is said to reflect a political playbook Tinubu once used as Lagos governor, where loyalty and regional calculus dictated his political alliances. However, sources admit that removing Shettima could backfire, especially given the North-East’s critical role in securing Tinubu’s 2023 victory.
“Shettima isn’t just a VP; he’s a symbol of representation for millions in the North-East. Dropping him could alienate a region that delivered a significant chunk of votes,” another party source noted.
The development has cast a spotlight on internal divisions within the APC and raised questions about the unity of the ruling party heading into the next election cycle. Analysts warn that even the perception of disloyalty to Shettima could fracture the party’s support base in the region and trigger defections or voter apathy.
So far, neither the Presidency nor Vice President Shettima has officially commented on the matter.
As the 2027 political chessboard begins to take shape, observers say the coming months will be pivotal in determining whether the APC can maintain its current coalition or risk internal implosion over succession politics.
Post a Comment