Replacing Shettima as VP Will Affect Tinubu’s Chances in 2027, Threatens APC Northern Youths

A coalition of northern youth groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned against any move to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 presidential election, warning that such a decision could severely undermine President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term. Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna, the Northern APC Youth, alongside several affiliated youth groups, stated that any attempt to drop Shettima would be met with stiff resistance from the North-East, a region they say played a crucial role in the party’s victory in the 2023 general election. According to them, Shettima’s presence on the ticket remains a key factor in consolidating support across the northern region. The group’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Danbaba, said that recent calls from certain quarters for Tinubu to replace Shettima with a northern Christian in 2027 were politically motivated and could trigger disunity within the party. He stressed that competence and loyalty should not be sacrificed on the altar of religious balancing. Danbaba described Shettima as a stabilizing force and a loyal partner in governance, warning that sidelining him could alienate APC supporters in Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, and other parts of the North-East. He urged the party’s leadership to ignore what he called “opportunistic agitation” and instead focus on strengthening the Tinubu-Shettima ticket ahead of the next elections. Tensions surrounding the matter came to the fore during the recent APC North-East stakeholders meeting held in Gombe, where a delegate’s endorsement of President Tinubu for re-election without mentioning Shettima led to a rowdy session. Several delegates protested, chanting in support of Shettima and threatening political consequences if he is removed as running mate. The incident has sparked widespread debate within the party, with multiple northern APC factions including the North-West APC Reclamation Front, Arewa 19 Pyramid, and the North-Central APC Forum issuing statements backing the Tinubu-Shettima ticket. These groups insist that dropping Shettima would fracture the APC’s northern support base and hand the opposition an advantage in 2027. Despite the growing speculation, senior party officials have dismissed the idea of replacing Shettima, stating that there are no official plans within the APC to alter the presidential ticket. One top party source emphasized that the president and vice president enjoy a cordial working relationship and that any move to change the arrangement would require wide consultation and consensus. As the countdown to 2027 continues, the issue has exposed underlying tensions within the ruling party over power-sharing, religious representation, and regional interests. However, northern APC youth groups insist that Shettima’s continued role as vice president is non-negotiable, warning that any deviation could cost the party critical support in the next general election.