President Bola Tinubu is set to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, despite recent speculations about possible changes to the ticket.
A reliable source within the Presidential Villa confirmed that contrary to circulating rumours, the president has never considered replacing his deputy.
“The president will run with Shettima. You can file it away. Stop worrying about the rumour. He will,” a trusted government insider told ThisDay.
The source further emphasized that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains confident of victory in 2027.
“We (the APC) are winning the next election, that is all I know. Walahi!”
Speculations and Regional Reactions
Earlier, speculation emerged that Tinubu might drop Shettima to strengthen support in the North-west, the region with the largest voting bloc in northern Nigeria. This caused concern among Shettima’s supporters in the North-east, who viewed such a move as an attempt to sideline the vice president.
Tensions escalated in June 2025 when APC stakeholders in the North-east failed to mention Shettima during a zonal meeting in Gombe State endorsing Tinubu for a second term. The omission triggered outrage, forcing APC National Vice Chairman for the region, Mustapha Saliu, to be escorted out under heavy security after delegates hurled insults and objects at him.
The situation worsened when former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje endorsed Tinubu without acknowledging Shettima, prompting delegates to chant, “No Shettima, no APC in the North-east.” Ganduje’s attempt to clarify that the presidency was a joint ticket did little to calm tensions.
Resolution and Unity in the North-east
Calm returned after Deputy National Chairman Bukar Dalori publicly endorsed both Tinubu and Shettima. Governors of Yobe, Borno, and Gombe—Mai Mala Buni, Babagana Zulum, and Muhammadu Yahaya—also pledged support for the Tinubu–Shettima ticket, affirming regional unity behind the duo.
Notably, Shettima was recorded refusing to shake Ganduje’s hand at a public event in Akwa Ibom State following the incident. Ganduje later resigned as APC chairman.
Tinubu’s Endorsement of Shettima
During Shettima’s recent birthday celebration, President Tinubu praised his deputy, affirming that choosing him was the right decision. The Tinubu-Shettima ticket previously defeated opposition candidates, including Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, in the 2023
