Tinubu retains Shettima as running mate for 2027 poll

President Bola Tinubu has retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election, putting to rest months of speculation over a possible change to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.

The development was confirmed on Friday when the President’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, submitted the nomination forms of Tinubu and Shettima to the leadership of the APC at the Continental Hotel in Abuja.

The submission formally confirms that the President will seek a second term on the APC platform with Shettima as his vice-presidential candidate.

The announcement follows widespread speculation that Tinubu might replace Shettima amid political calculations ahead of the 2027 election. Reports had suggested that the President was considering naming a northern Christian as his running mate after some APC stakeholders, including members from the North-East, withheld public endorsement of the Vice President.

However, Friday’s submission ended the uncertainty surrounding Shettima’s place on the ticket.

The event was attended by several governors, including Hope Uzodimma of Imo, who is also Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Babagana Zulum of Borno.

Also present were members of the APC National Working Committee, the party’s National Assembly caucus, members of the Federal Executive Council and other party stakeholders.

Presidential spokesman Sunday Dare also confirmed the development in a post on X, stating that Tinubu had submitted his nomination form as the APC’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election and had again nominated Shettima as his running mate.

The submission marks the formal commencement of Tinubu’s re-election bid as the APC prepares for the 2027 general election.