APC Retains Shettima As Tinubu’s Running Mate For 2027

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

The ruling party unveiled Shettima in Abuja yesterday, ending months of speculation over whether the APC and President Tinubu would change the vice-presidential candidate following concerns that trailed the Muslim-Muslim ticket during the 2023 election.

The decision was confirmed during the submission of the completed nomination forms of Tinubu and Shettima to the APC National Working Committee (NWC) for onward transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, who represented the President at the event, formally presented the joint nomination forms to the NWC.

“I am here on behalf of our father, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to submit his nomination forms, duly completed and signed, together with the sworn affidavit for Mr President and Vice President Kashim Shettima,” Masari said.

Speaking on behalf of APC governors, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, said the governors were united in their support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Uzodimma praised the achievements of the Tinubu administration, insisting that the governors remained committed to delivering victory for the APC in 2027.

Similarly, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said President Tinubu was already on course for victory, adding that the party’s strength and the administration’s achievements had earned it widespread public support.

“Millions of Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones are waiting to vote for Mr President in 2027. Farmers, students and many other Nigerians are waiting with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs),” he said.

Yilwatda also claimed that Tinubu had already secured over 12 million votes through the APC’s membership base, while urging party leaders to intensify efforts in publicising the administration’s achievements.

“Our membership is over 12 million. It is verifiable. If you doubt the membership of the APC, doubt your international passport; doubt your driver’s licence. We are going to work tirelessly to ensure the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027,” he stressed.

The event was attended by several governors, including Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State and Nasir Idris of Kebbi State.

Also present were the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC); House of Representatives member, James Faleke; and other senior party leaders.

Before the announcement, there had been speculations that President Tinubu might consider replacing Shettima with a Christian from the North ahead of the 2027 election in a bid to address concerns over religious balance.

Among those whose names were reportedly mentioned as possible replacements for Shettima were former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, from the North-East, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, from the North-Central.