The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) insist there is no rift between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. They deny Tinubu plans a new running mate for 2027. Despite Tinubu’s silence on a second term, his supporters are already working on his re-election campaign.
“This is pure speculation without foundation,” says Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, APC National Director of Publicity. “These are beer-parlour discussions that should not be taken seriously.”
“Even if, for any reason, the president were to consider replacing the vice president, he cannot do so singlehandedly. Such a decision would require extensive consultation with critical stakeholders,” he added.
North Central’s Push for Top Positions
Political figures from Nigeria’s North Central zone want either the presidency or vice presidency in 2027. They held a press conference in Abuja.
Representatives from Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Kogi, and Kwara states, led by Prof. Nghargbu K’tso, spoke out. They want major political parties to zone their presidential or vice-presidential tickets to their region.
In a statement, the group argues that if APC gives Tinubu “right of first refusal” for the presidential ticket, the vice-presidential slot should go to North Central.
Prof. Nghargbu, with other leaders, notes North Central has not produced a president or vice president since 1999.
“Of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, only North Central and South East have not occupied the positions of president or vice president in the past 26 years of the Fourth Republic,” he says. “The situation for North Central is even worse than that of the South East, which at least had Dr. Alex Ekwueme as vice president from 1979 to 1983.”
He insists they now need equal support from other northern zones. “This is about fairness. We want to be recognised not as mere political adjuncts but as full stakeholders in the ‘One North’ project.“
APC Rejects North Central’s Demands
However, APC’s Bala Ibrahim calls the North Central’s demand unrealistic. “The North Central should not see the presidency or vice presidency as a right, especially given its relatively lower electoral contribution compared to zones like the North West.”
He adds, “They have made similar demands in the past, but these are often irrational and only serve to create unnecessary political tension.”
Bala Ibrahim sees the NC demands as “dead on arrival“.
Currently, the president is off to Paris, France, on a week-long working visit, while Mr. Shettima jetted off to Dakar, Senegal, to represent his principal at the country’s 65th Independence Day anniversary celebrations.
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