Tension in APC as North-East stakeholders protest alleged plot to drop Shettima in 2027

Though the 2027 general elections are still two years away, tensions are already rising within the All Progressives Congress (APC) over claims that Vice President Kashim Shettima may be removed from President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ticket.

The issue reached a boiling point on Sunday during a North-East APC stakeholders’ meeting held in Gombe, which descended into chaos.

What was expected to be a straightforward show of support for Tinubu’s second-term bid turned controversial when the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, delivered an endorsement speech that failed to mention Vice President Shettima.

“We want to reaffirm and also adopt the endorsement earlier done by the National Working Committee, that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is endorsed to be a sole candidate for the 2027 election,” Salihu declared.

This omission triggered outrage among party delegates, who began chanting “Shettima! Shettima!!” before violence broke out. Salihu was attacked on stage by furious members, as shown in a viral video where he was hit with a chair and other objects, including a plastic bucket, while trying to escape.

Attempts by other senior party leaders, such as the Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Bukar Dalori, to calm the situation failed. The meeting was abruptly shut down, and security forces had to disperse the angry crowd with teargas.

A delegate from Borno State, Usman Aliyu, called the Vice President’s omission a deliberate insult to the region.

“This is a slap on our faces,” he said. “We expect to have one voice. We’ll issue a communiqué reaffirming Tinubu and Shettima’s candidacy.”

Another Borno delegate warned against sidelining Shettima:

“It’s an insult to the entire region that our own son, the Vice President, was not even mentioned. We will resist this attempt to sideline Shettima.”

Some delegates even threatened to support opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar if the Vice President is removed.

“If Shettima is dropped, I will personally lead my people to vote for Atiku,” an APC chieftain from Adamawa State stated.

Gombe Governor Under Criticism
Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who hosted the meeting and chairs the APC North-East Governors’ Forum, came under fire for his vague comments. While praising Tinubu, he did not specifically mention Shettima’s place on the ticket.

In contrast, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni, and several National Assembly leaders had previously pledged full support for the Tinubu/Shettima 2027 ticket.

APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje tried to manage the fallout but stopped short of clearly reaffirming Shettima’s role.

“This zone has produced the number two of this country… We are proud of the North and we are proud of Nigeria as a nation,” he said.
“We are proud of the Vice President. It is one ticket according to the Constitution.”

However, his remarks did little to calm delegates who continued to chant: “No Shettima, no APC in the North-East!”

Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), dismissed the uproar, describing it as political distraction.

“There’s a solid working relationship between President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima. These rumours are distractions,” he told The PUNCH.

Presidential aide Daniel Bwala also said he had no knowledge of any plan to drop the Vice President.

An insider told The PUNCH that while most National Working Committee (NWC) members from the North-East supported the Tinubu/Shettima ticket, Salihu was the only one who didn’t.

“Only Comrade Mustapha Salihu spoke against the ticket. All four other NWC members from the North-East supported the joint ticket,” the source confirmed.

Internal Crisis Growing
Despite the clarifications, speculation continues that certain political groups are pushing for a more “influential” northern figure to replace Shettima.

Political analysts warn that this controversy points to deeper divisions within the APC.

“This is more than a misunderstanding. It’s a sign of serious internal divisions within the APC,” said political analyst James Abass.
“The North-East sees Shettima as their political symbol, and any attempt to sideline him may backfire.”