By Muyiwa Oyinlola
Following the growing endorsements of President Bola Tinubu as the sole Presidential candidate of the governing All Progressives Congress ,APC, for the 2027 general elections, a stalwart of the party, Hon Ibrahim Jirgi, has raised concerns over the likely fate of Vice President Kashim Shettima, in the calculations for the forthcoming poll.
Fearing that the endorsements are solely for Tinubu, and a loud silence about Shettima, Jirgi, who was a member of
the Media and Publicity Committee, 2023 Tinubu/ Shettima Campaign Council, urged the President to re-present the Vice President for a joint ticket of the party in 2027.
“As far as I am concerned, Kashim Shettima is a good political material. He is an asset to this government and the country in general. You can not fault his loyalty and you cannot underestimate his political antecedents. He shouldn’t be abandoned”, he said.
While speaking further, he stated that: “Their ticket is a joint one. The political endorsements by the stakeholders should be for both President Bola Tinubu and his Vice President Kashim Shettima. The marriage should not end up here. He has been a tremendous man in the administration”.
“Shettima is humane, and not cantankerous. He is level headed. North East is proud of him. Northern Nigeria is proud of him, and Nigeria in general is as well proud of him. There is no doubt about it. Nobody can deny his intellectual capacity and political disposition to the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration”.
The former Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the late Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim of Yobe State, and esrtwhile BBC London Correspondent, added that “Shettima is a number one unifier. Kashim Shettima is one of the best Vice Presidents in our political history in this country. Take it or leave it”.
It would be recalled that last month, the Progressive Governors Forum ,PGF, an umbrella of the 22 governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress ,APC, and stakeholders of the party endorsed Tinubu as the sole candidate presidential candidate for the forthcoming general elections.
The PGF Chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, announced the endorsement during the party’s National Summit, themed Renewed Hope Agenda: The Journey So Far. It was held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.
Also at the event, the party’s National Assembly Caucus, and other top chieftains of the party adopted Tinubu in a similar manner for the forthcoming presidential election.
President of the Senate and former Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, while announcing the endorsement said: “I move that the President be returned as the candidate of the APC in 2027 and as the President of Nigeria”.
The wave of Tinubu’s endorsements for second term is not limited to APC members, some notable politicians who have defected from other parties have continued to sing his praises and have thus endorsed him accordingly.
Observers are however, worried that the silence about his Vice President in the permutations for the next Presidential election, may have arisen by the insinuations making the rounds that Shettima, a former governor of Borno State, is being sidelined in the affairs of the Presidency, and may not return as Tinubu’s running mate in 2027.
The report was swiftly dismissed by Shettima’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications
Stanley Nkwocha, who in a press statement emphasised that the Vice President is a “colossal member” of Tinubu’s administration and enjoys the “total confidence and full support” of the President.
Nkwocha described claims of discord between the two leaders as false, asserting that the Vice President is loyal and well-integrated into the administration.
He dismissed the rumours as “illogical conspiracy theories”, asserting that they do not reflect the reality in Aso Rock.
The statement highlighted Shettima’s dedication, noting: “In a political landscape where loyalty is often tested, Vice President Shettima stands out as a beacon of dedication and commitment to his principal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“His unwavering support and teamwork demonstrate a refreshing shift towards harmonious collaboration, setting a positive tone for their administration”.
Nkwocha further praised Shettima’s support for President Tinubu, stating: “VP Shettima’s recent praise for President Tinubu is heartfelt and genuine, describing him as a ‘good soul’ and a leader Nigerians can trust”.
He highlighted Shettima’s consistent loyalty and ability to connect with people from various backgrounds.
He started that: “The illogical conspiracy theories of the VP being sidelined peddled in recent days are the direct opposite of what is happening here in Aso Rock.
“As President Tinubu’s administration continues to take shape, there’s no gainsaying that one key player who has been making waves is Vice President Shettima”.
He concluded that Shettima has brought a “unique blend of experience, expertise, and energy” to the administration, supporting Tinubu’s vision and initiatives for Nigeria.
As the race to the 2027 presidential election gathers momentum, all eyes are on the APC as pundits are on the watch to see whether or not Tinubu would return Shettima as his running mate.
