APC North-Central Forum Warns Against Dropping Shettima Ahead of 2027 Presidential Election

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has rejected calls for President Bola Tinubu to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the 2027 general election, warning that such a move would be a “grave political miscalculation” with far-reaching consequences.

The warning comes amid speculation within the ruling party following the omission of Shettima’s photograph from a banner at the North-East Zonal Public Hearing on the APC constitution amendment in Maiduguri. The banner featured President Tinubu, five APC governors from the zone, and the party’s National Legal Adviser, fueling debate over Shettima’s political future and the sustainability of the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027.

Some party stakeholders have called for a change in the ticket, suggesting a Christian running mate from the North-Central. However, the Forum distanced itself from such calls, arguing that dropping Shettima would undermine Tinubu’s re-election bid and threaten the party’s electoral chances.

In a statement issued Thursday and signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum stressed that the North-Central region is focused on contesting the presidency in 2031, after Tinubu’s tenure, and has no interest in the vice-presidential slot.

“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. Such a decision would amount to a grievous political miscalculation,” the statement said.

The Forum warned against mixing religious considerations with political calculations, noting that the North currently lacks a Christian candidate with sufficient grassroots support, national appeal, and political structure to effectively complement Tinubu.

According to the group, replacing Shettima would not win new votes but would instead erode support in the North, giving a strategic advantage to the opposition, particularly if the African Democratic Congress (ADC) fields Peter Obi as its candidate.

The statement also criticized those calling for Shettima’s removal, pointing out that they did not contribute to Tinubu’s 2023 victory and would likely not support him in 2027 even if their demands were met.

The Forum dismissed claims that international actors, including the U.S. and other Western powers, could pressure Nigeria to abandon the Muslim-Muslim ticket, emphasizing Nigeria’s sovereignty.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket gave us victory in 2023. Nigeria is an independent nation and nobody is going to dictate to us,” it said, cautioning that external interference could undermine democracy and spark unnecessary political tension.

The Forum concluded by urging President Tinubu to maintain continuity and retain Vice President Shettima, describing this as the “safest and most politically sound path” to victory in 2027.

Opinion Nigeria News