Yan Nigeria
The question of whether Vice President, Kashim Shettima, will retain his spot on the 2027 presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is quietly fuelling tensions within the party’s top ranks.
While the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) have not issued any official stance, insiders who spoke with Punch say discussions around Shettima’s future have divided key stakeholders, particularly amid reports that some governors from the North-East and North-West are positioning themselves as potential replacements.
A principal officer of the party, contacted for comments by Punch, declined to speak on record, describing the matter as “sensitive.”
However, another senior party official confirmed that lobbying efforts are indeed underway, stating, “The move to replace Shettima with another running mate for President Tinubu in the 2027 election is real. Some party leaders are working tirelessly to persuade the President to drop the Vice President and choose either a governor from the North-East or another from the North-West.”
The source described the unfolding scenario as a “cold war”, subtle, calculated political manoeuvring rather than outright confrontation.
“It’s not exactly a crisis, but high-level political strategising. Various NEC and NWC members are discreetly throwing their weight behind different options. It’s all part of the political process,” the source added.
Other insiders downplayed the situation as routine intra-party jostling, arguing that divergent interests are normal in a democracy.
“Some party leaders are insisting that Shettima should remain Tinubu’s running mate in 2027, while others are pushing for alternatives. That’s politics. But ultimately, only the President can make that call,” one party chieftain said.
In a bid to calm public speculation, Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Duru, insisted there was no internal crisis within the party.
“APC is calm and cool. The party is focused on two things: governance and delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians,” Duru told Sunday Punch.
He reiterated that President Tinubu has the right to choose his running mate, and that the party respects that prerogative.
“Our candidates have the first right of refusal. It was the President who selected Shettima in 2023 based on deliberate and informed considerations. That choice contributed to our victory. That’s how democracy works,” Duru said.
The post APC Leaders Divided Over Shettima’s 2027 Fate appeared first on Naija News.
