A major political battle is brewing within Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as some powerful northern politicians are reportedly working to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima on the 2027 presidential ticket.
Sources inside the Presidency and the APC told Sunday PUNCH that political moves are already underway to pressure President Bola Tinubu into choosing a new running mate for the next election.
“There’s no clear decision yet, but it’s no secret that some people are preparing themselves in case the President decides to pick someone else,” a top APC official said.
Why Shettima May Be in Trouble
The main problem for Shettima seems to come from politicians in his home state, Borno. Governor Babagana Zulum and Senator Ali Ndume—both seen as close allies of Shettima—have openly criticised the Tinubu administration.
Governor Zulum opposed the new tax bills, saying they favoured Lagos over the North, and also attacked the federal government’s handling of insecurity in Borno. At a recent APC meeting in Gombe State, Zulum protested when Tinubu was endorsed for a second term without mentioning Shettima.
The event turned chaotic when angry delegates shouted, “Shettima! Shettima!!” and tried to attack the party’s zonal chairman for leaving out the Vice President’s name.
“People close to Shettima are being too critical of the government. It creates the impression that the VP has no control over them” a source explained.
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Governors and Lawmakers Making Moves
According to party insiders, at least four northern governors and two top lawmakers are eyeing Shettima’s seat. They include governors from Yobe, Gombe, Kaduna, and Katsina—Mai Mala Buni, Muhammadu Yahaya, Uba Sani, and Dikko Radda. Also mentioned are the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin.
“There’s interest from different political blocs. It’s not unusual. Everyone is trying to stay in the President’s good books,” another insider revealed.
However, spokesmen for Governor Yahaya, Governor Radda, and Senator Jibrin have denied these reports.
“The governor is focused on finishing his second term, not chasing the VP’s seat,” said Gombe State’s spokesperson, Ismaila Misilli.
APC Leaders Divided
Within the APC, top officials are split over whether Shettima should stay on the ticket. One senior party leader admitted that talks about replacing him are real.
“There’s a quiet battle going on. Some governors and lawmakers are lobbying hard. But the final decision belongs to the President,” he said.
Despite the tension, the APC says there’s no crisis. “Our focus is on governance and delivering democracy to Nigerians,” said Nze Duru, the party’s Deputy National Organising Secretary.
North-East Vows to Keep the VP Slot
Mustapha Salihu, APC’s North-East Zonal Chairman, said the region won’t let go of the vice-presidential slot.
“We won’t give it up. We’ll do everything to keep the VP seat. It’s our turn, and we plan to keep it through political agreement,” he said.
He also explained why Shettima’s name was left out during the Gombe meeting: “The National Working Committee only endorsed the President for now. Running mates come after that. There was no bad intention.”
Lawmaker Warns Tinubu Not to Drop Shettima
A northern member of the House of Representatives warned that dropping Shettima could backfire.
“Shettima played a big role in helping Tinubu win in 2023. Without him, APC may not have secured northern support. If Tinubu drops him, it could lead to problems in the North,” the lawmaker said.
As 2027 draws near, political tension in the APC appears to be rising, with alliances forming and ambitions growing. But the final decision still lies with President Tinubu—and his choice could shape the future of both the party and the country.