Christian VP: Four Names Have Been Pencilled Down To Replace Shettima – Former Minister Reveals

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu is considering removing Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 presidential election and replacing him with a Christian candidate.

Naijaonpoint reports that Dalung made the claim in a video shared by Symfoni TV, where he said there is strong information coming from inside the ruling All Progressives Congress about plans to change the current ticket.

He explained that a group within the party is closely monitoring internal moves and passing out details about discussions at the top level.

According to him, the idea is linked to pressure from outside Nigeria, especially from the United States, over the continued use of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Dalung said party leaders now believe the same arrangement may no longer be accepted by international partners and could affect Nigeria’s image abroad.

The former minister disclosed that three to four Christian figures have already been listed as possible replacements for Shettima.

The names he mentioned include former House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Catholic bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Defence Minister Christopher Musa, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume.

He added that the ruling party is reviewing whether the current religious balance can still work in the next election.

Dalung claimed the search is aimed at presenting a more acceptable ticket to foreign allies ahead of 2027.

Dalung also said President Tinubu may no longer be fully positioned for another term, pointing to rising hardship, hunger and insecurity across the country.

He argued that recent talks that no one can defeat the president are meant to cover internal problems within the party.

The former minister insisted that although the Muslim-Muslim ticket worked in the last election, it continues to cause tension in Nigeria’s relations with Western nations.

He said: “About 3 to 4 names of Christians have been pencilled: Yakubu Dogara the former Speaker, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, General Christopher Musa the former CDS who is the minister for Defense now and George Akume the current SGF.

“There is a serious internal search for a replacement for Vice President Kashim Shettima to appease international concerns, specifically the U.S.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket, while successful in 2023, remains a point of friction in Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with Western powers.”