The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has strongly opposed moves to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that such a decision could jeopardise the President’s re-election bid.
The Forum’s position was made public in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, amid growing speculation that some elements within the ruling party were advocating Shettima’s replacement.
The speculation followed the omission of Shettima’s photograph from a banner displayed at the APC North-East zonal public hearing on the amendment of the party’s constitution in Maiduguri. The banner featured President Tinubu, five APC governors from the zone and the party’s National Legal Adviser.
The development reignited debate within the party over the future of the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and Shettima’s political standing, with some stakeholders reportedly calling for his replacement with a Christian, particularly from the North-Central region.
However, the North-Central APC Forum dismissed such calls, describing them as dangerous and counterproductive. The Forum stressed that it was not lobbying for the vice-presidential slot, noting that the region’s focus is on contesting the presidency in 2031, after Tinubu’s tenure.
Warning against the politicisation of religion, the Forum argued that the North currently lacks a Christian candidate with the necessary grassroots support, national appeal and political structure to complement Tinubu’s electoral strength.
“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,” the statement read.
“We sincerely advise President Bola Tinubu and the leaders of the party not to listen to such calls, because such a decision will turn out to be a grievous political miscalculation.”
The Forum accused proponents of Shettima’s removal of acting against the interests of the APC and the President, insisting that replacing the Vice President would not attract new votes to Tinubu but would instead weaken his support base in the North.
It further argued that if the opposition coalition fields Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in 2027, changing Tinubu’s running mate would not alter voting patterns, as many communities that did not support Tinubu in 2023 would likely maintain their stance.
The Forum also dismissed claims that foreign powers could pressure Nigeria to abandon the Muslim-Muslim ticket, stressing the country’s sovereignty and warning against external interference in its democratic process.
“The Muslim-Muslim ticket gave us victory in 2023. Nigeria is an independent nation, and nobody is going to dictate to us,” the Forum stated.
It concluded by urging President Tinubu to retain Shettima, insisting that maintaining the status quo remains the safest and most strategic option for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
