Tinubu Retains Shettima as 2027 Running Mate, Ends Months of APC Speculation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, ending months of speculation over whether the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would alter its presidential ticket.

The confirmation came on Friday after the president submitted his completed APC presidential nomination forms, formally entering the race for a second term in office. The forms were submitted on his behalf by Ibrahim Masari, the President’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs, during a ceremony attended by top APC leaders in Abuja.

The development settles widespread political speculation that had dominated conversations within the ruling party for months. Reports suggesting that Tinubu could replace Shettima with another northern politician—possibly a northern Christian—in an effort to broaden the APC’s electoral appeal had fuelled intense debate across the country. Friday’s announcement, however, confirmed that the president has chosen continuity over change.

Shettima, a former governor of Borno State and current Vice President, first emerged as Tinubu’s running mate ahead of the 2023 presidential election, when the APC adopted the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket. Despite criticism from some quarters, the ticket secured victory in the last general election.

Political analysts believe retaining Shettima sends a strong message of stability within the APC and avoids the internal divisions that could have arisen from a last-minute change in the party’s presidential ticket. The move is also expected to reassure Tinubu’s supporters in the North-East, where Shettima remains one of the region’s most influential political figures.

The submission of the nomination forms also signals that the APC has formally begun preparations for what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2027 presidential election, with opposition parties working to build coalitions capable of challenging the ruling party.

Although the nomination confirms Tinubu and Shettima as the APC’s presidential ticket, attention is now expected to shift to the opposition camp, where discussions over possible alliances and presidential candidates continue ahead of the polls.

With the speculation over his running mate finally resolved, Tinubu can now focus on selling his administration’s record as the APC prepares for another nationwide campaign.

More political reactions are expected in the coming hours as party leaders and opposition figures respond to the announcement.

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