By Lanre Oloyede
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as the running mate to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, ending weeks of intense speculation over a possible change to the party’s ticket.
The decision, announced on Friday in Abuja, confirms that the ruling party will once again contest the presidential election with the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket that secured victory in the 2023 polls.
The announcement follows widespread reports that President Tinubu was under pressure to replace Shettima with a northern Christian in response to concerns over religious balancing ahead of the 2027 elections.
Among those reportedly touted as possible replacements were former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.
Although APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, did not expressly name the vice-presidential candidate during the brief unveiling ceremony, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, later confirmed to journalists that Shettima had been retained as Tinubu’s running mate.
The confirmation effectively puts to rest speculation over the vice-presidential slot just hours before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s July 11 deadline for political parties to submit the names of their candidates through its nomination portal.
The unveiling ceremony attracted several APC governors and top party leaders, including Governors Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abba Yusuf (Kano), Babagana Zulum (Borno), as well as governors from Jigawa and Kebbi states.
The decision signals the party’s resolve to maintain continuity in its leadership ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2027 presidential election, despite criticisms from some quarters over the retention of the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
