Fresh details have emerged on the fracas that marred the All Progressives Congress (APC) North-East Zonal Consultative Meeting in Gombe State on Sunday.
Insider sources have revealed growing division over the future of Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The conflict, which led to chaos during the event, is now being linked to power struggles within the zone, particularly among governors and stakeholders vying for influence over who should be President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate in the next election.
According to credible party sources, some APC governors and power brokers from the North-East have quietly opposed Shettima’s return on the 2027 ticket.
Their opposition is reportedly based on concerns over the controversial Muslim-Muslim formula and what they describe as Shettima’s “lack of political vibrancy.”
One source told Vanguard: “Some of them consider him a dull politician who has failed to speak up when it mattered most. They feel the zone deserves a more active and visible representative.”
Among the alternatives being touted are former Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who are believed to have silent backing from key northern blocs.
Governors Fail to Reach Consensus
Sources further revealed that the governors of Yobe, Gombe, and Borno—the three APC-controlled states in the zone—failed to agree on a unified position during a series of behind-the-scenes meetings before the Gombe event.
“Only Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno supported Shettima’s re-election bid,” a former governor who attended the meeting said.
“The other two governors—Yobe and Gombe—remained neutral, and no consensus was reached.”
The plan was to present a unified front endorsing both Tinubu and Shettima for a second term, but that effort fell apart during the consultative session.
Salihu’s Omission of Shettima’s Name Sparks Outrage
Tensions escalated at the meeting when APC National Vice Chairman (North East), Mustapha Salihu, publicly endorsed President Tinubu for a second term—but failed to mention Vice President Shettima.
The omission triggered a violent outburst, with aggrieved party members hurling objects at Salihu.
Reacting to the development, APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Ali Bukar Dalori, played down the incident, saying there was “no cause for alarm.”
“Whether Salihu did it intentionally or not, I want to assure the people of the North-East and Nigerians in general that there is no cause for alarm,” Dalori said.
“Salihu is entitled to his political opinion.”
Ganduje Condemns Violence, Defends Joint Ticket
The National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who was also at the event, tried to calm frayed nerves by reaffirming the unity of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket.
In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment, Oliver Okpala, the APC chair condemned the violent disruption, calling it “uncivilised and uncalled for.”
“There is no space for violence in Nigeria’s political landscape. Dr. Ganduje reminded them that the President and Vice President are constitutionally joined as one ticket,” Okpala said.
He added that Ganduje had made it clear that the North-East remains a critical zone in the APC’s political structure and should not be undermined.
Okpala said: “The National Chairman emphasized that the APC values the zone. His relationship with both the President and Vice President is solid—like the Rock of Gibraltar.”
Despite the tension, APC insiders say no formal decision has been made regarding the 2027 ticket.