President Bola Tinubu is expected to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, despite recent speculation about potential changes to the joint ticket.
According to a reliable Villa source, contrary to rumours, the president never entertained discussions about replacing his deputy.
“The president will run with Shettima. You can file it away. Stop worrying about the rumour. He will,” ThisDay quoted a source described as a trusted figure in government circles.
The insider added that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remained on course for victory in 2027.
“We (the APC) are winning the next election, that is all I know. Walahi!”
POLITICS NIGERIA recall that there were widespread speculations that Tinubu might consider dropping Shettima to secure a stronger base in the North-west, which holds the largest voting strength in northern Nigeria. This narrative generated unease among Shettima’s supporters in the North-east, who viewed such moves as an attempt to sideline the vice president.
Tensions heightened in June 2025 when APC stakeholders in the North-east failed to mention Shettima while endorsing Tinubu for a second term at a zonal meeting in Gombe State.
The omission sparked outrage, forcing APC National Vice Chairman for the region, Mustapha Saliu, to be escorted out of the venue under heavy security after delegates hurled insults and objects at him.
The situation worsened after former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, also endorsed Tinubu without directly acknowledging Shettima in his speech. To this, delegates said, “No Shettima, no APC in the North-east.” Ganduje later attempted to calm the crowd by noting that the presidency was a joint ticket, but the clarification failed to assuage the delegates.
The situation was only calmed when Deputy National Chairman Bukar Dalori endorsed both Tinubu and Shettima. Governors of Yobe, Borno and Gombe—Mai Mala Buni, Babagana Zulum, and Muhammadu Yahaya—also threw their weight behind the Tinubu–Shettima ticket, stressing that the region remained united in support of the duo.
It is interesting to note that following the incident, Shettima was caught on video refusing to shake Ganduje’s hand at a public event in Akwa Ibom State.
Ganduje later resigned as the chairman of the APC.
Meanwhile, during Shettima’s recent birthday, Tinubu eulogised his deputy, declaring that he did not make a mistake in his choice of the vice president.
The Tinubu-Shettima ticket defeated opposition candidates in 2023, including Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.