2027: North-Central APC Forum Warns Against Replacing Shettima, Claim Peter Obi Might Win

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has issued a strong warning against any attempt to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing such a move as a “grave political miscalculation.”

Naijaonpoint reports that the warning followed reports that certain interests within the ruling party are allegedly pushing for Shettima to be dropped from the APC ticket in favour of a Christian running mate.

The speculation was reignited after Shettima’s image was conspicuously absent from a banner showcasing APC leaders at the party’s zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments held in Maiduguri.

The banner featured President Bola Tinubu, five governors from the North-East, and the party’s National Legal Adviser, but omitted the Vice President.

Reacting to the development, the Forum, led by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, issued a statement in Abuja on Thursday, cautioning that removing Shettima would jeopardise Tinubu’s re-election chances and weaken the APC.

“There is serious danger in changing a winning ticket. We totally and unequivocally reject calls and plans to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima… It will turn out to be a grievous political miscalculation,” the statement said.

North-Central Not Contesting For VP Slot, Says Forum

Addressing suggestions that the North-Central was lobbying for the vice-presidential position, Zazzaga clarified that the zone is not seeking the VP slot in 2027, but rather preparing to contest the presidency in 2031.

“The North-Central is focused on the 2031 presidential election after President Tinubu’s tenure. We are not part of the agitation to replace Shettima,” he said.

The group condemned attempts to inject religious sentiment into political strategy, arguing that there is no Christian candidate in the North with the necessary political structure to complement Tinubu.

“Abandoning the Muslim-Muslim ticket will only strengthen the opposition in 2027,” the Forum warned.

According to the Forum, those calling for Shettima’s removal were not supporters of Tinubu in the 2023 election and cannot be trusted to support him even if their demands are met.

The statement noted, “If you check, you will notice that in 2023, most of their communities voted for Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

“What is likely is that Tinubu will lose support among core northerners, thereby reducing his votes and giving the advantage to Peter Obi.”

The Forum also dismissed reported concerns that international actors such as the United States and other Western countries may pressure Nigeria to abandon the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027.

It said, “Nigeria is an independent nation, and nobody is going to dictate to us.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket gave us victory in 2023. Outside interference could undermine democracy and trigger avoidable conflict.”

The Forum urged President Tinubu and the APC leadership to resist pressure from within and outside the party, warning that caving to such demands could weaken the APC’s base, especially in the North.

“They do not want to see President Bola Tinubu re-elected. That is the only reason anybody with political knowledge would make such a request,” the Forum concluded.