Will Pres. TINUBU Pick Another Running Mate?

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• Or Retain KASHIM SHETTIMA

The story of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu replacing Vice President Kassim Shettima for his second term bid has become a national debate among political observers. Serious tension reportedly grows within the APC as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prepares to announce his 2027 running mate in the coming weeks. According to reports, the crisis allegedly began after Vice President Kashim Shettima appeared publicly during the submission of Tinubu’s APC nomination forms alongside Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma. Some presidency insiders are said to be unhappy with this move, believing it gave the impression that Shettima was already confirmed as Tinubu’s running mate for 2027 despite ongoing consultations behind the scenes. The situation reportedly sparked political drama within the Progressive Governors’ Forum, with moves allegedly made against Uzodimma before Tinubu stepped in to ease tensions. Although pressure is mounting on Tinubu to keep Shettima, sources insist that discussions are still ongoing and no final decision has been officially announced. With APC primaries already revealing major fractures across several states, the contest over Tinubu’s running mate is now shaping up to be one of the biggest political stories ahead of the 2027 election.

There is also another rumour that there is pressure from various groups, particularly from the North-Central region, urging Tinubu to reconsider the All Progressives Congress (APC) Muslim-Muslim ticket to achieve better religious inclusivity. Some political stakeholders have proposed aligning with other influential northern politicians to solidify bloc votes from specific geopolitical zones. Reports of perceived tension and deliberate sidelining of Shettima’s role in certain policy decisions have fueled rumours regarding the strength of their political alliance. Despite the unfolding political manoeuvrings by interested parties to replace the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, ahead of the 2027 poll, President Bola Tinubu appears not to be in the mood to dismiss him in favour of any other northern politician. Already, names of six top All Progressive Party (APC) politicians, drawn from the Northeast and Northwest, have been touted to be on the list from which the president could easily choose his VP for the 2027 poll. Among them are the former Zamfara State governor, Abdullaziz Yari, the current National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago, Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, Gombe State governor, Inuwa Yahaya, and ex-House of Representatives speaker, Yakubu Dogara.

Those touting the NSA’s name claimed that the president wants to tap him for … to learn the ropes and become the automatic president of Nigeria in 2031 when power would have returned to the north, while the inclusion of Senator Yari’s name is said to be based on his closeness to President Tinubu and his frequent stout defence of the number one citizen on any national issue. Former House of Representatives speaker, Dogara, is said to be preferred to Shettima because of the need for the president to balance the presidential ticket with a Christian and win the support of more Christians, thus removing the suspicion of Islamisation of Nigeria with a Muslim-Muslim ticket. The names of the three serving governors are said to be considered based on what some party bigwigs describe as their ‘brilliant performance’ so far, giving the party a good standing among their followers and supporters. However, another source within the government has debunked the rumour that the president is shopping for another running mate in the 2027 election.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, debunked the rumour of any form of cold war between the President and his Vice since they took office over two years ago. Onanuga explained that it is only when the President is elected at the party’s primaries that he will announce a running mate, and that the position is new in the Nigerian political space to warrant any apprehension. We also learned that stakeholders in the North-Central have, for almost a year, been asking Tinubu to pick his deputy from the region in 2027 if he wants their support. The North Central Renaissance Movement, led by its chairman, Professor Nghargbu K’tso, threatened to withdraw support for President Tinubu if he fails to present a Vice-presidential candidate from their geopolitical zone. However, a group called Arewa 19 Pyramid for Grassroots Development has urged political stakeholders to desist from distracting President Bola Tinubu and his Vice President Kashim Shettima from the task of governance. The convener, Mr Ahmed Abdulraheem, stated this at a news conference in Gombe at the weekend. According to Abdulraheem, the Tinubu/Shettima leadership is on the right course towards bringing prosperity and development to Nigeria and must not be distracted by any group or individual. He said the partnership between Tinubu and Shettima represents not only political stability but also symbolises inclusion, competence, and renewed focus on national development. “It is not yet time for politics, as the present leadership still has time to deliver good governance. Political groups or individuals must not be allowed to shift the attention of Tinubu and Shettima from consolidating on the achievements already recorded.”

“Let us stay focused. Let us stay united and let us always remember: “Nigeria first, politics later,” he added.

Another reason for Tinubu to drop Shettima is that: For the north central, particularly the Christian-dominated states, which are facing an existential threat from terrorists, the stakes could not be higher. It is understandable why they desperately seek at least a ‘leg’ in the Villa, but having the number two seat does not automatically guarantee their survival, though their 2023 “investment” gives them a bold claim to Shettima’s seat, which they are now asking for.

Despite these speculations, the Presidency has maintained that there is a strong, cordial working relationship between the two leaders. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has continuously dismissed these substitution rumors as premature and a distraction from governance.