The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has rejected moves to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 election, warning that such a decision would be a “political miscalculation” that could jeopardize Tinubu’s reelection. The warning comes amid reports that some party elements are advocating for a Christian candidate from the North to replace Shettima, following the Vice President’s omission from a recent APC North-East banner.
In a statement on Thursday, the Forum, led by Chairman Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, argued that dropping Shettima would weaken the party’s electoral position in the North. It noted that the North currently lacks a Christian candidate with sufficient grassroots support and national appeal to complement Tinubu’s ticket. The statement emphasized that the Muslim-Muslim ticket contributed to Tinubu’s victory in 2023 and cautioned against letting religious considerations dictate political strategy.
The Forum also dismissed suggestions that foreign governments might influence the party’s decision, stressing that Nigeria is a sovereign nation. “The Muslim-Muslim ticket gave us victory in 2023. Nigeria is independent, and nobody is going to dictate to us,” the statement said, warning that external pressure could disrupt democratic processes and provoke conflict.
The controversy over Shettima’s future resurfaced amid renewed debates on the APC’s electoral strategy and ticket composition. The Forum argued that replacing Shettima would not attract new votes but could alienate core northern supporters, potentially benefiting opposition candidates, including Peter Obi of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The group urged Tinubu to maintain the status quo to secure victory in 2027.
