President Bola Tinubu has decided to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election [1].
The decision establishes the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket well ahead of the next election cycle, signaling a desire for stability within the administration's top leadership.
Tolu Bankole, a member of the APC National Working Committee, praised the decision to keep Shettima in the role [2]. Bankole said the move reflects a successful partnership between the president and vice president. This stability is viewed by some party leaders as a way to ensure continuity for the APC as it prepares for the 2027 contest [1].
Reports of the retention emerged on July 11, 2026 [3], following a meeting between the two leaders at the State House in Abuja [4]. Leaders from the North-East region of Nigeria also hailed the announcement, suggesting the partnership maintains a critical geographic, and political balance for the party [5].
However, the decision has not met with universal approval within the party. While many leaders praised the move, APC chieftain Jonathan Vatsa condemned the decision to retain Shettima [6].
The divergent reactions highlight internal tensions within the APC as the party begins to navigate the complexities of the 2027 election cycle. While the national leadership emphasizes the strength of the current partnership, some members of the party remain critical of the administration's strategy.
“President Bola Tinubu has decided to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.”
By confirming the ticket for 2027 this early, President Tinubu is attempting to project an image of unity and predictability. However, the public disagreement between high-ranking APC chieftains suggests that the party may face internal friction regarding its leadership structure and regional representation as the election approaches.
