APC Stakeholder Urges Correction of Shettima Banner Omission to Avoid Speculation

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A senior stakeholder within Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged party leaders to move quickly to resolve growing concerns sparked by the absence of Vice-President Kashim Shettima from promotional materials displayed at a recent political gathering in the North-East.

The issue surfaced following an APC constitutional review meeting held in Maiduguri, Borno State, where key figures of the party assembled to discuss internal reforms. While the event itself focused on organisational matters, public attention shifted to the design of an official banner that showcased several prominent personalities but did not include the Vice-President, despite his strong political roots in the host state.

Reacting to the development, APC chieftain Zarma Mustapha, who previously served as a Special Adviser to the Borno State Governor, described the omission as regrettable. He warned that symbolic oversights in political settings often create room for misinterpretation, especially among observers already watching party dynamics closely.

Rather than treating the matter as a minor design error, Mustapha advised the party hierarchy to address it openly. According to him, failing to respond promptly could allow speculation to flourish both among party supporters and within opposition circles. He noted that even unintended actions sometimes acquire political meaning when left unexplained.

In a separate part of his remarks, Mustapha referenced an earlier controversy involving a similar situation in another North-East state, suggesting that repeated incidents risk fueling narratives of internal disagreement. He cautioned that silence or delay in correcting such issues might encourage assumptions about hidden political agendas.

The APC stakeholder stressed that party cohesion would be critical as preparations gradually begin ahead of the 2027 general elections. He argued that unity must not only exist internally but must also be visibly demonstrated to the public through consistent messaging and inclusive representation.

Emphasising the symbolic value of recognition, Mustapha pointed out that acknowledging senior leaders through simple gestures—such as including their images at official events—helps reinforce solidarity. In his view, displaying Shettima alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other party leaders would communicate stability and collective leadership rather than rivalry.

The controversy gained additional momentum after criticism from Borno State House of Assembly Speaker Abdulkarim Lawan, who reportedly described the omission as poorly timed and capable of reopening lingering divisions. His reaction amplified discussions within political circles about loyalty, hierarchy, and future alignments inside the ruling party.

Although the Maiduguri gathering was primarily convened to deliberate on amendments to the APC constitution, analysts note that the banner issue overshadowed policy discussions. Governors from the North-East, party executives, and regional stakeholders attended the event, yet public discourse quickly shifted toward questions about political symbolism rather than constitutional reform.

Commentary and Political Analysis

The Shettima banner controversy demonstrates how visual communication has become a powerful element in modern Nigerian politics. Political observers increasingly interpret imagery—who appears, who is missing, and where individuals are positioned—as signals of internal alliances or emerging tensions.

Mustapha’s intervention appears aimed at preventing a minor incident from evolving into a broader narrative about succession politics or regional marginalisation. As the APC navigates post-election consolidation and looks toward 2027, maintaining the appearance of unity may prove just as important as policy achievements.

Political analysts also argue that repeated controversies surrounding representation suggest heightened sensitivity within party structures. In highly competitive political environments, symbolic inclusiveness often serves as reassurance to supporters that leadership remains cohesive.

Ultimately, the call for quick corrective action reflects a strategic attempt to control political messaging before speculation hardens into perception—an outcome parties typically seek to avoid during periods of organisational transition and electoral preparation.