By Muyiwa Oyinlola
As President Bola Tinubu has continued to get endorsements for a second term ahead of the 2027 Presidential election, there is growing concern about the fate of his Vice President, Kashim Shettima.
Last week Thursday, 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 presidential candidate for the party in 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.
The Senate President 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 endorsement 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 those endorsing Tinubu are silent about his Vice President, Shettima.
This has fuelled insinuations making the rounds about growing speculations that Shettima, the immediate past Borno State governor, who has been said to be
a skilled political strategist, and championed Tinubu’s brand, may not return as Tinubu running mate in 2027.
SHETTIMA NOT SIDELINED
It will be recalled that it has been alleged that the Vice President has been sidelined in the affairs of the Presidency.
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.
UNCERTAINTY OVER SHETTIMA
Recently, a northern Muslim advocacy group, Concerned Northern Muslim Ummah, called on Tinubu to drop the vice president in the 2027 ticket and select a northern Christian as his running mate
According to Bala Duguri, the group’s convener, this move would promote unity and political inclusiveness in the country.
He said he arrived at the suggestion after extensive consultations with various Islamic organizations across northern states.
In the same vein, some political stakeholders from Nigeria’s North-Central region under auspices of
North-Central Renaissance Movement, and led by
Professor Nghargbu K’tso,
also called on the president to reconsider his choice of running mate ahead of the 2027 general elections, and urged him to replace Shettima with a candidate from their zone if he hopes to secure their backing for a second term.
This position was however, vehemently countered by
a chieftain of the APC, Dr. Umar D Duhu, who in a statement he titled: “A Rebuttal to the Misguided Stance of the “Concerned Northern Muslim Ummah”.
He stared that: “As a concerned Muslim, I am compelled to respond to the recent statement attributed to the “Concerned Northern Muslim Ummah,” which purportedly represents the views of northern Muslims. Their call for President Tinubu to select a northern Christian as his running mate in 2027, under the guise of promoting unity and inclusiveness, is not only misguided but also un-Islamic”.
Similarly, a group under the aegis of North-Central All Progressives Congress (NC APC) Forum also rejected calls for Tinubu to replace Shettima as his running mate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to a statement signed by the Forum’s chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, it dismissed suggestions made by the North-Central Renaissance Movement that the Vice Presidency should be zoned to North-Central, insisting that the region remains committed to the Tinubu-Shettima ticket.
“The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum rejects calls for President Bola Tinubu to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in 2027.
“These calls are not emanating from stakeholders within the APC in the North-Central zone. We disassociate ourselves from such suggestions and hereby emphasize that our endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 election extends to Vice President Kashim Shettima,” the Forum affirmed.
Zazzaga, who was a member of the APC’s 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, said the Forum was satisfied with Shettima’s performance and urged President Tinubu to “Disregard the antics of individuals and groups attempting to derail his administration.”
“We are pleased with the role played by Vice President Kashim Shettima in President Tinubu’s administration. We also commend the harmonious working relationship between the President and Vice President, a collaboration envied by the opposition, who are now attempting to sow discord in the APC government,” the Forum stated.
As the race to the 2027 presidential race gathers momentum, all eyes are the APC as pundits continue to watch whether or not Tinubu would return Shettima as his running mate.
