APC Dismisses Rift Rumours: No Plans To Replace Shettima Party Chieftain Speaks Amid Endorsement Controversy
As tension brews over perceived cracks in the leadership structure of Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed widespread speculations suggesting a plan to sideline Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, APC chieftain and former Board of Trustees member, Ismaeel Ahmed, condemned the rumours as “malicious and unfounded,” adding that the alleged disunity between President Bola Tinubu and his deputy was being deliberately exaggerated by political mischief-makers.
“There is no friction. There is trust between the President and the Vice President,” Ahmed declared. “We are creating issues where none exist. These are nothing but baseless rumours.”
A Party Divided? North-East Endorsement Sparks Confusion
The speculation stems from the recent APC North-East summit in Gombe, which ended in uproar following the endorsement of President Tinubu for a second term without a single mention of Vice President Shettima.
Mustapha Salihu, APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), who issued the endorsement, has since come under fire for the omission, prompting concerns of a silent internal cold war.
However, Ahmed dismissed the event as overblown drama:
“The drama in Gombe was too melodramatic. The President, as the incumbent, doesn’t need a forced endorsement. It’s tradition in the APC that the sitting President automatically becomes the party’s candidate.”
According to him, the public display of support amounted to “orchestrated sycophancy.”
“There should be no more endorsements. Let’s focus on governance,” he added firmly.
No Plans to Replace Shettima APC Clarifies
Amid swirling online rumours that Shettima might be dropped as running mate in 2027, Ahmed categorically stated there had been no such conversation within the party leadership.
“There is absolutely no talk of substituting the Vice President. These are narratives being spun by those who neither understand governance nor internal party structures,” he said.
He urged party faithful and the Nigerian public to focus on developmental issues rather than early political jostling.
“We still have two years left. Primaries are a year away. Right now, our job is to deliver our mandate and not get distracted by unnecessary politicking,” he stated.
Salihu: No Political Undertone in Shettima’s Omission
Speaking separately on the same programme, Mustapha Salihu defended his controversial decision, stating that praising the President alone was within his constitutional right as a party leader.
“We don’t have a vice-presidential ticket to offer. There’s only one presidential slot. Endorsing Tinubu didn’t mean we were sidelining Shettima. Any such assumption is simply political mischief,” Salihu explained.
He described those spreading tales of discontent in the North-East as “conflict entrepreneurs.”
“The administration of a party doesn’t run on social media or headlines. It’s internal. These kinds of rumours are inevitable. Insecure politicians thrive on them,” he added.
Salihu further insisted that the Gombe endorsement was not a calculated political slight but a standard party gesture.
“Other regions haven’t even held such summits. Our focus was to celebrate the President’s achievements. It’s premature to talk about running mates when no official campaign has even started,” he said.
‘Let’s Govern, Not Campaign’ Ahmed Warns
Ahmed warned that turning attention to 2027 now would be a misstep for a party still grappling with Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
“Why are we in such a hurry? Who is chasing us? Our focus should be on stabilising the economy, improving governance, and reconnecting with Nigerians not trying to outpace imaginary opposition.”
He also emphasized that President Tinubu welcomes competition and is not afraid of opposition parties, contrary to claims that recent APC activities were meant to outmaneuver emerging threats.
“The President isn’t afraid of the opposition. He believes in competition. But now is not the time to campaign it’s the time to deliver.”
The Bigger Picture: APC Caught Between Governance and 2027 Ambitions
The uproar over Shettima’s omission is a reflection of the internal pressures facing the APC, which is juggling the weight of public expectation with the undercurrents of early succession politics.
As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 elections, the ruling party will be expected to navigate these internal tensions while delivering on its promises to Nigerians a balancing act that may determine its future unity and electoral strength.
Meanwhile, both Ahmed and Salihu appear united on one point: the time for campaign politics has not yet come and when it does, the choice of running mate will be decided not in public spectacle, but through internal consultation and party consensus.
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