Is President Tinubu Plotting To 'Dump' Shettima in the 2027 Election? APC Breaks Silence

Is President Tinubu Plotting To 'Dump' Shettima in the 2027 Election? APC Breaks Silence

  • The APC has debunked claims of a plot to replace Vice President Shettima ahead of the 2027 elections, calling the reports baseless
  • North Central leaders are demanding the presidency or vice presidency, citing historical exclusion since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999
  • The APC says the region’s demand is unrealistic, stressing that zoning discussions are premature as President Tinubu has not completed his first term

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has refuted speculation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may drop Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party described the rumours as baseless and politically driven.

The ruling APC has dismissed rumours about plans to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general election.
APC has broken its silence on speculations suggesting Vice President Shettima may be dropped in the 2027 presidential race. Photo credit: @KashimSM/@officialABAT
Source: Twitter

Although President Tinubu has yet to make a formal declaration regarding his second-term ambition, many party loyalists and supporters have begun rallying around him in preparation for a possible campaign.

Party speaks on alleged rift

As reported by Daily Trust, the APC’s national director of publicity, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, said there is no truth to claims of discord between the President and his deputy.

Read also

APC reacts as Peter Obi says he would have handled Nigeria’s economy better than Tinubu

“This is nothing but idle gossip with no substance. These talks are the type you hear in beer parlours, and they shouldn’t be taken seriously,” Ibrahim stated.

He stressed that even in a hypothetical scenario, replacing a vice president would require wide-ranging consultations within the party, Leadership reported.

“No president can unilaterally remove or replace a vice president. Such a decision must go through extensive discussions with key stakeholders,” he added.

North Central demands political inclusion

In a separate development, leaders from Nigeria’s North Central region have renewed calls for the presidency or vice presidency to be zoned to their region in the next election cycle.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Professor Nghargbu K’tso, alongside representatives from Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Kwara, and Kogi states, urged political parties—especially the APC—to consider the region for one of the top two positions.

“If President Tinubu is granted the right of first refusal for the party’s presidential ticket, then justice demands that the vice-presidential slot be given to the North Central,” K’tso said.

Read also

Rivers state of emergency: Arewa Forum berates Tinubu, uncovers alleged secret plot ahead of 2027

He highlighted the region’s long-standing exclusion from the presidency and vice presidency since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999.

“Of the six geopolitical zones, only the North Central and South East have not produced either a president or vice president in the past 26 years,” he noted.

He also argued that the South East had at least produced a vice president in the Second Republic, referring to Dr Alex Ekwueme’s tenure from 1979 to 1983.

APC rejects zoning calls for now

The All Progressives Congress has addressed claims of an alleged move to remove Vice President Shettima from the 2027 ticket.
Amid swirling rumours, the APC has clarified its position on alleged plans to sideline Vice President Shettima in the next election cycle. Photo credit: @officialAPCng
Source: Twitter

Reacting to the regional demand, the APC’s Bala Ibrahim dismissed it as unrealistic, saying the party would not entertain zoning discussions at this stage.

“North Central cannot treat the presidency or vice presidency as an entitlement, especially considering their relatively lower voting numbers compared to regions like the North West,” he said.

He insisted that political focus should remain on governance and not succession planning.

“President Tinubu has not even completed his first term. Let him finish that before we start talking about zoning or power rotation,” Ibrahim said.

Read also

Tinubu's allies reportedly shopping for INEC Chairman Yakubu’s replacement, reason surfaces

Peter Obi says he'd have handled Nigeria’s economy better, APC reacts

Previously, Legit.ng reported that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had criticised Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election.

According to a statement on Wednesday, April 2, by Felix Morka, APC's national spokesperson, the ruling party lambasted Obi over his condemnation of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ezra Ukanwa avatar

Ezra Ukanwa (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Ezra Ukanwa is a Reuters-certified journalist with over 5 years of professional experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Anchor University, Lagos. Currently, he is the Politics and Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng, where he brings his expertise to provide incisive, impactful coverage of national events. Ezra was recognized as Best Campus Journalist at the Anchor University Communications Awards in 2019 and is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). Contact him at: ezra.ukanwa@corp.legit.ng or +2349036989944