2027 race: APC insists Shettima remains Tinubu’s running mate

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected reports suggesting that Vice President Kashim Shettima may be dropped as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the claims as unfounded and misleading.

The ruling party said speculation that it is considering a review of the Muslim-Muslim ticket that won the 2023 presidential election has no basis in fact.

In a statement issued on Monday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the party had observed an escalation in media reports alleging plans to replace the Vice President.

“Although these stories initially surfaced in subtle forms, they have recently taken a more disturbing turn with the circulation of names of individuals purportedly being considered as replacements for Vice President Shettima,” Morka said.

He cautioned media organisations against amplifying what he described as unverified and mischievous narratives capable of undermining party unity and public confidence.

“Our Party states categorically that the reports are purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless,” the statement said.

“We urge media organisations to desist from giving credibility to rumour-peddlers and dubious ‘sources’ whose sole objective is to sow confusion and discord in the polity.”

The APC stressed that it is not engaged in discussions about the 2027 presidential ticket, noting that political activities remain restricted under the law.

“Under existing laws and electoral regulations, the ban on political activities remains in force,” Morka said.

He added that the party’s attention remains firmly on governance rather than election permutations.

“At this time, our Party is focused on supporting President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda and consolidating reforms aimed at transforming the economy, promoting prosperity and improving the living standards of Nigerians,” the statement said.

The ruling party also warned its ministers, senior government officials and party leaders against making comments that could fuel speculation or misinterpretation.

“We call on our ministers, senior government officials and Party leaders to avoid, whether deliberately or inadvertently, stoking needless speculation, and to concentrate on their primary responsibility of service to government and our Party,” Morka said, urging them to reinforce public confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu.

The party’s statement followed comments by the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, who warned that the APC risks losing crucial northern states in 2027 if it alters the Tinubu–Shettima ticket.

Musawa made the remarks during an episode of Mic On Show with journalist Seun Okinbaloye, published on YouTube on Sunday.

She said removing Shettima from the re-election ticket, or abandoning a northern Muslim running mate, would significantly weaken the APC’s electoral fortunes in the core North.

“If there is no Hausa, Fulani or Kanuri Muslim on that ticket, it creates a hurdle. That is the reality of how people think,” Musawa said.

According to her, politics in northern Nigeria is shaped by identity, history and mobilisation, making the region highly sensitive to shifts in political representation.

“The core North – states like Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara and Sokoto – understands politics deeply. Politics is a way of life. People wait every four years to line up and vote because that is where they feel their influence lies,” she said.

Musawa dismissed suggestions that the APC could tamper with its presidential ticket without electoral consequences, warning that such thinking reflects a misunderstanding of northern political realities.

“I believe that if we begin to toy with the current arrangement, it becomes a serious problem. Those who think otherwise may not fully understand how politics works in the North,” she said.