2027: North-Central APC Forum Cautions Against Dropping Shettima Says Obi Could Benefit

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The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has strongly warned against any move to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing such a plan as a serious political blunder that could jeopardise the party’s chances.

Gossip News Now reports that the warning follows growing speculation that some influential interests within the ruling party are pushing for Shettima to be replaced with a Christian running mate on the APC presidential ticket.

The controversy gained renewed attention after Shettima’s image was noticeably missing from a banner displayed at the APC zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments in Maiduguri, which featured President Bola Tinubu, five North-East governors, and the party’s National Legal Adviser.

Reacting to the development, the Forum, led by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, issued a statement in Abuja on Thursday, cautioning that removing Shettima could weaken the APC and threaten Tinubu’s re-election prospects.

“There is grave danger in altering a winning formula. We firmly and unequivocally reject all calls and plans to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima. Such a move would amount to a costly political miscalculation,” the statement said.

North-Central Not Seeking VP Slot, Forum Insists

Addressing claims that the North-Central region is lobbying for the vice-presidential position, Zazzaga clarified that the zone has no such ambition and is instead positioning itself for the 2031 presidential contest.

“The North-Central is focused on the 2031 presidency after President Tinubu’s tenure. We are not part of any agitation to replace Vice President Shettima,” he stated.

The Forum also criticised attempts to inject religious considerations into political calculations, arguing that no Christian candidate from the North currently possesses the political structure capable of effectively complementing Tinubu’s ticket.

“Abandoning the Muslim-Muslim ticket will only strengthen the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections,” the group warned.

Shettima’s Removal Could Boost Peter Obi — Forum

The Forum further alleged that many of those advocating Shettima’s removal were not active supporters of Tinubu during the 2023 elections and should not be relied upon for future political backing.

“If you examine the voting pattern in 2023, most of their communities supported Peter Obi of the Labour Party,” the statement noted.

“What is likely to happen is that President Tinubu will lose the support of core northern voters, reducing his overall votes and inadvertently handing political advantage to Peter Obi.”

Forum Rejects Foreign Pressure Claims

The group also dismissed claims that international players, including the United States and other Western nations, might pressure Nigeria to abandon the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027.

“Nigeria is a sovereign nation, and no external power has the authority to dictate our political choices,” the Forum asserted.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket delivered victory in 2023. Any foreign interference could undermine democracy and provoke unnecessary tension.”

Final Warning to APC Leadership

The Forum urged President Tinubu and the APC leadership to ignore both internal and external pressures, stressing that altering the current ticket arrangement could seriously weaken the party’s northern support base.

“Those making these demands do not wish to see President Bola Tinubu re-elected. That is the only logical explanation for such politically dangerous suggestions,” the statement concluded.