2027: APC Youths Warn President Tinubu Against Dropping VP Shettima

By Samuel Luka,
Bauchi

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Parliament has warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

Addressing newsmen in Bauchi on Monday, the Chairman of the APC Youth Parliament, Kabiru Garba Kobi said, replacing Shettima would be a “grave political error” that could cost the party support in the North-East.

He dismissed rumors of Shettima’s replacement as a deliberate attempt to sow discord within the party, saying those behind it have personal and external interests rather than the party’s unity.

According to the Youth Parliament, Shettima has demonstrated loyalty, dedication and grassroots support, making him a unifying figure in the party.

The group said it had observed with concern the growing circulation of reports in sections of the media alleging that President Tinubu is considering dropping Shettima in favour of a Northern Christian candidate, allegedly to address criticisms of the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted during the 2023 elections.

Kobi said those behind the speculation are pursuing personal and external political interests rather than the unity and stability of the party.

He noted that despite renewed political discussions suggesting that President Tinubu is assessing names such as former Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Defence Minister Lt-Gen. Christopher Musa (retd), Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, such speculations remain distractions driven by political opportunists.

Kobi acknowledged that the 1999 Constitution gives the President the freedom to choose a running mate from any part of the country, but insisted that political wisdom, loyalty, and electoral realities must guide such decisions.