The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has kicked against moves to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 general election, warning that such a decision would amount to a grave “political miscalculation.”
The Forum’s position followed recent indications that some elements within the ruling party are pushing for Shettima’s replacement after his photograph was omitted from a banner bearing images of APC leaders in the North-East zone.
The banner, which appeared during the North-East Zonal Public Hearing on the amendment of the APC constitution in Maiduguri, featured only President Tinubu, five APC governors from the zone and the party’s National Legal Adviser.
The omission has reignited debate within the party over the viability of the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election, as well as Shettima’s political future.
Some party stakeholders have reportedly called for his replacement with a Christian from the North.
In addition, certain groups from the North-Central have specifically demanded that a Christian from the region be chosen as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday, the North-Central APC Forum warned that dropping Shettima may portend danger for the party and could jeopardise President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
North-Central Not Interested In VP Slot
The Forum also stated that the North-Central was not interested in the vice-presidential slot, noting that the region was positioning itself for the presidency in 2031, after Tinubu’s tenure.
Cautioning against the injection of religious sentiments into political calculations, the Forum said the North currently lacks a Christian candidate with sufficient grassroots support, national appeal and political structure to complement Tinubu’s electoral strength as running mate.
In the statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum argued that abandoning the Muslim-Muslim ticket would only strengthen the opposition in 2027.
“There is serious danger in changing a winning ticket. We totally and unequivocally reject calls and plans to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the next election,” the statement said.
READ ALSO: Shittu Warns Tinubu Against Replacing Shettima in 2027
“We sincerely advise that President Bola Tinubu and leaders of the party should not listen to such calls because such a decision will turn out to be a grievous political miscalculation.”
Shettima’s Replacement Not In Party’s Interest
The Forum alleged that those pushing for Shettima’s replacement do not have the party’s interest at heart, insisting that their actions could only undermine Tinubu’s re-election chances.
According to the group, replacing Shettima would not attract new votes for Tinubu in the North, but would instead cost the President support in the region, particularly if the decision is based on religious considerations.
The Forum further noted that even if an opposition coalition backed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presents Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in 2027, replacing Shettima would make no strategic difference, as most minority voters in the North would still vote for Obi regardless of Tinubu’s running mate.
READ ALSO: Whispers of Defiance: Is the Tinubu-Shettima Ticket Still Intact?
It advised Tinubu to retain Shettima on the ticket in order to maximise his chances of victory in the 2027 election.
The Forum also dismissed arguments from those calling for the abandonment of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, stating that many of them did not vote for Tinubu in 2023 and would not do so in 2027 even if Shettima is replaced.
“If Peter Obi comes out again in 2027 under the ADC, what is the guarantee that they will vote for Tinubu even if he drops Shettima and replaces him with a Christian? That is not going to happen,” the statement said.
“What is likely to happen is that Tinubu will lose support among core northerners, thereby reducing his votes and giving the advantage to Peter Obi. Basic political calculation shows that dropping Shettima makes no sense and is actually very dangerous.”
Ignore Calls To Replace Shettima, Forum Tells Tiubu
The Forum urged President Tinubu to ignore calls for a change in his running mate, stressing that those behind the agitation neither supported his victory in 2023 nor contributed to his electoral success.
It also reacted to suggestions that the international community, particularly the United States and other Western powers, may be uncomfortable with the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket and could push for a change ahead of 2027.
READ ALSO: Senators, Tinubu Battle Over Police Withdrawal from VIPs
The Forum insisted that Nigeria is a sovereign nation and should not yield to foreign influence.
“The Muslim-Muslim ticket gave us victory in 2023. Nigeria is an independent nation and nobody is going to dictate to us,” it said, warning that external interference could destabilise the country’s democracy and trigger avoidable conflict.
Shettima’s replacement first surfaced in July 2025, when the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, endorsed Tinubu for a second term without mentioning the Vice President at a North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe.
The development reportedly angered Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, who allegedly mobilised supporters to disrupt the meeting.
Former APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, and Salihu were later escorted out of the venue under heavy security as protests erupted at the event.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
