2027: Tinubu retains Shettima as running mate

Barely 24 hours to the expiration of the deadline for the submission of presidential and National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has settled for Vice President Kashim Shettima to run with him, again, on the joint ticket.

There have been speculations that the President may drop his current deputy over some political calculations.

The duo ran in 2023 under the Tinubu/Shettima joint ticket in what was widely described as same faith ticket due to their common religious beliefs, but they went ahead to win the presidential election.

Shettima’s return was perceived to be threatened, especially as some stakeholders within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), even in the North East, failed to endorse him.

Those angling for change of running mate had also touted that the President might replace Shettima with a northern Christian as his vice-presidential candidate.

However, on Friday Ibrahim Masari, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, submitted the nomination forms for Tinubu and Shettima to APC leaders at Continental Hotel, Abuja.

Among those who attended Governors Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa) and Babagana Zulum (Borno).

The submission formally confirms Tinubu’s decision to retain Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 general election.

Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo and chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, led APC governors to the event.

Also in attendance were members of the APC national working committee (NWC), the party’s caucus in the national assembly, members of the federal executive council (FEC), and other party leaders and stakeholders.

The submission of the nomination forms marks the formal commencement of Tinubu’s bid for a second term on the APC platform, with Shettima again completing the party’s presidential ticket.