…Abba Yusuf formally joins party
By Caleb Ishaya, Abuja
Ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has dismissed widespread media reports suggesting a possible replacement of Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the claims as false and speculative.
In a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, the party said it had observed a growing media frenzy around the issue, noting that recent reports had gone further to mention specific individuals allegedly being considered as replacements.
The statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka stated “in categorical terms” that the reports were “purely speculative, untrue and utterly baseless”,urging media organisations to avoid amplifying what it described as rumours from questionable sources.
The party also reminded the public that, in line with existing laws and electoral regulations, the ban on political activities remains in force.
According to the statement, the party’s current priority is supporting President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in the implementation of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The party remains focused on entrenching bold reforms that are steadily transforming the economy, building prosperity, and uplifting the living conditions of Nigerians”, the statement said.
The APC further cautioned its ministers, senior government officials and party leaders against making comments that could fuel unnecessary speculation, urging them instead to concentrate on effective service delivery and strengthening the achievements of the Tinubu administration.
It would be recalled that some groups from the North-Central geo-political zone have demanded that a Christian from the area should be selected as Tinubu’s running mate in the next election.
Following the development,
the North Central APC Forum, last week, issued a statement rejecting any move to drop Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that such a step would amount to a grave political miscalculation.
It warned that replacing Shettima would be disastrous for the party and could jeopardise President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
It maintained that abandoning the Muslim-Muslim ticket would only strengthen the opposition in 2027.
“There is serious danger in changing a winning ticket. We totally and unequivocally reject calls and plans to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the next election.
“We sincerely advise President Bola Tinubu and the leaders of the party not to listen to such calls, because such a decision will turn out to be a grievous political miscalculation”, the forum stated.
In the same vein, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has said any move to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima, ahead of the presidential election in 2027, could negatively affect the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The Minister made the remark in an interview on MIC ON, a podcast hosted by Seun Okin baloye.
She said the absence of a northern Muslim on the ticket could create significant resistance among voters in the region, warning that: “If we toy with changing the construct of what we have now, it is a problem”:
Meanwhile, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has officially rejoined the All Progressives Congress, APC.
AljazirahNigeria reports that Yusuf last week tendered his resignation letter quitting the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, citing internal crises and legal disputes, which he said have weakened the party nationwide.
Similarly, Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Honourable Jibril Ismail Falgore, his Deputy, Honourable Muhammad Butu-Butu, the Majority Leader, Honourable Lawan Hussain, and 19 other lawmakers officially defected earlier from the NNPP to the APC.
