The North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC, Forum has cautioned against any move 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 be politically damaging.
The Forum made its position known in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, following reports that some elements within the ruling party were pushing for a change in the vice-presidential slot.
Speculation intensified after Shettima’s image was reportedly omitted from a banner displayed at the APC North-East zonal public hearing on the amendment of the party’s constitution held in Maiduguri.
The banner featured President Tinubu, five APC governors from the zone, and the party’s National Legal Adviser.
The development has renewed debate within the party over the future of the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and the vice president’s role in the 2027 election.
Some stakeholders have argued for the selection of a Christian running mate, particularly from the North-Central region.
However, the North-Central APC Forum distanced itself from such demands, insisting that the region is not lobbying for the vice-presidential slot.
It stated that its focus remains on contesting the presidency in 2031, after the conclusion of Tinubu’s tenure.
The Forum warned that dropping Shettima would amount to a serious political error that could weaken the party’s electoral prospects in 2027.
“There is serious danger in changing a winning ticket. We totally reject calls to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate. Such a move would be a grave political miscalculation,” the statement said.
It cautioned against injecting religious considerations into political strategy, arguing that the North currently lacks a Christian candidate with the political structure, national appeal, and grassroots support required to strengthen Tinubu’s ticket.
According to the Forum, abandoning the Muslim-Muslim ticket would only benefit the opposition and could lead to a loss of support in the North.
The group further accused proponents of the change of acting against the interests of the APC and the President, noting that Tinubu would not gain additional votes by replacing Shettima.
Analysing voting patterns in the region, the Forum argued that even if the opposition-backed African Democratic Congress fields Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in 2027, replacing Shettima would not alter voting behaviour in favour of the APC.
“If Peter Obi emerges again, dropping Shettima will not deliver new votes. Rather, it will cost President Tinubu critical support in the North and hand the opposition a strategic advantage,” the statement said.
The Forum also dismissed claims that foreign governments could pressure Nigeria to abandon the Muslim-Muslim ticket, insisting that Nigeria’s electoral choices must remain free from external influence.
It warned that yielding to such pressure could undermine national sovereignty and destabilise the country’s democratic process.
