A prominent forum within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned that replacing Senator Kashim Shettima as the vice-presidential nominee on President Bola Tinubu’s ticket ahead of the 2027 elections would be “disastrous” for party unity and electoral strategy. The warning was issued as political speculation intensifies around potential ticket realignments ahead of next year’s general polls. (leadership.ng)
The APC forum, which comprises influential party elders and strategists, argued that Shettima’s continued presence on the ticket provides regional balance and helps consolidate support across key geopolitical blocs. They said that replacing him now — less than two years before the election year — would risk alienating stakeholders who view the current ticket as inclusive and strategically positioned.
Senator Shettima, a former governor of Borno State, was selected as Tinubu’s running mate in the 2023 presidential contest, a move designed to strengthen the APC’s appeal in northern Nigeria. Forum members emphasised that altering that arrangement could be perceived as weakening the party’s commitment to power-sharing across regions, potentially diminishing its competitiveness in the North-East and North-Central states.
The group’s remarks come amid ongoing internal discussions within the APC around succession planning and coalition-building, with some stakeholders advocating for potential strategic adjustments to address emerging political dynamics. However, the forum’s view reflects a broader concern that such changes could deepen internal fractures at a time when the party is focusing on consolidating its base ahead of 2027.
Analysts say that managing ticket continuity while navigating intra-party expectations remains a test for Nigeria’s ruling party, which faces pressure to maintain cohesion among its diverse constituencies. They also note that any credible challenge to the current arrangement would have to account for regional sensitivities and the broader political arithmetic of next year’s elections.
